DALTON, Ga. — Plans for a new park at the Haig Mill reservoir in north Dalton took a “major step forward” Tuesday, according to officials.

The board of directors of Dalton Utilities, which controls the reservoir, approved a memorandum of understanding with the city that will allow the city to use the reservoir as part of the park.

“We have signed that memorandum, and so has the mayor,” said Dalton Utilities President and CEO Tom Bundros.

Dalton City Administrator Ty Ross says the City Council is scheduled to vote on the memorandum when it meets on Tuesday.

“We are very appreciative of Tom for facilitating this with the (Dalton Utilities) board,” he said. “He and the entire team at DU, including watershed manager Leslie Rush, have done a fabulous job. This was a major step forward, and the next step will be getting final approval from the EPD (Georgia Environmental Protection Division).”

The Haig Mill reservoir project will be funded with $5 million from the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) voters approved in 2015. The council voted in May to approve a contract with Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon of Chattanooga for design, permitting and oversight of the construction of the project.

Officials say the park will offer paddle boats, four fishing piers and other amenities.

“I’m really excited that this is coming together,” said Mayor Dennis Mock.

Mock said the EPD wanted the city and the utility to have a memorandum of understanding on how the reservoir will be used and how the facility will be protected. He says that now that the two sides have signed that memorandum he hopes the project will receive final approval from the EPD soon, allowing work to move ahead.