A new multi-use recreation facility in Mitchell County moved closer to becoming a reality on Tuesday, Feb. 22 when the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a decision to apply for a $500,000 North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grant for the project.
The grant, if awarded, would require a dollar-for-dollar local match. Mitchell County Recreation Director Brock Duncan spoke to the board about the project during the meeting.
Duncan and the board have discussed the facility off and on for more than a year. After several months of silence, there is resumed action.
Interim County Manager Lloyd Hise said the first step is developing a county recreation plan, which Brock and his team have been working to develop over the past several months.
Once that plan is finalized, it must be presented and approved. Then, the county can apply for a PARTF grant by the May 2 deadline.
“They want to know what your plan is and how this fits into your plan,” Hise said.
As part of developing that plan, Duncan and his team surveyed the county and the results show overwhelmingly that people want an indoor recreation facility the most.
The application process for PARTF grants is competitive and grants are awarded on a point system. The recreation plan is the central component for earning points.
“Do I know if we’ll get $500,000?” Duncan asked. “I don’t know. I’d like to think we would.”
Duncan and Board of Commissioners Chair Steve Pitman noted that key officials they’ve talked to about the project feel largely optimistic about the county’s chances of getting funding.
Last year, Cook Engineering drafted a blueprint of a recreation facility with a “wish list” that Duncan suggested. Those plans included an indoor gymnasium and track, a possible connection to the Bakersville Creek Walk and an outdoor splash pad, but the plans are fluid.
“Once you say you’re going to do for it with the 500 grand, I’ll talk to everybody,” Duncan said smiling.
Commissioner Brandon Pittman called the decision to apply a “no-brainer” and Vice Chair Harley Masters said she was “100 percent on board” before making a motion to approve the decision.
“We’ve been dealing with this for 30 years,” Commissioner Jeff Harding said about the need for a facility. “We’re going to get some kickback for throwing money at a facility and a ballfield but you’re going to get a lot more pats on the back. People aren’t going to mind spending their tax dollars if they can see something positive.”
Duncan said he would gladly fundraise himself to raise additional local money.
“I told my wife that this is my goal,” he said. “We can start it. I’m going to get it and I’m going to try to get it without using a lot of taxpayer dollars.”
The facility would serve as a home for county recreation sports and would include a flat, public area for people to walk and exercise. Duncan envisions the facility opening from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
“We’re not building stuff for ball,” Duncan clarified. “We’re building it for everybody. There’s a lot more in this other than bouncing a basketball.”
Before closing his report, Duncan thanked Sibelco for recently donating $7,100 for a new scoreboard at Cane Creek Field, where recreation teams frequently play. He also thanked Quartz Corp. which at the end of this month will replace the roofs on the field’s press boxes and dugouts. Quartz will also paint the press box and fix the field netting.
“Those things cost nothing,” Duncan said. “They’re awesome.”
In other action, the commissioners:
• Heard from Hise about the requests for proposals from architectural firms regarding building the new law enforcement center in Bakersville. The county received funds for the project within the most recent state budget.
• Approved initial steps in the community housing project, made possible through a $750,000 grant. The project will aim to replace four (possibly five) substandard housing units within the county.
• Received a report from Risa Larsen of SEARCH. She discussed her plans to have SEARCH remain embedded in the community and continue to deeply analyze access to health care for Mitchell residents compared to those in nearby counties.