Beaufort County outlines facility renovations and court repairs; Shellpoint and Southside work ongoing

Beaufort County recreation staff provided updates on multiple facility projects, saying some work is near-term while other efforts remain in planning or remedial phases.

Deputy Director Shane Sager said renovations at Booker T. Washington will include new floors, painted interiors, new bleachers and improvements to ventilation and restroom stalls as part of a broader effort to improve climate control and facility longevity. “The wall is supposed to be here towards the end of this month, which was the longest lead,” Sager said, describing supply and scheduling challenges for long-lead items.

Staff said the Bluffton Center will receive interior senior-center renovations and that larger-scale field projects are under study, including evaluating turf installations and baseball-field reconfigurations to meet demand. Sager identified Shellpoint Park as partially closed because root intrusion is damaging a tennis court and several pickleball courts; the department has solicited quotes for full resurfacing to bring the courts back to standard.

At Southside Pickleball, staff reported the contractor had to redo the court floor because of puddling; the surface work is underway and courts remain closed until the finishing work ensures long-term stability. Officials said the department is taking time to address subsurface or drainage issues to avoid repeat failures.

No capital appropriations, contracts or firm reopening dates were approved at the meeting because the body lacked a quorum. Staff said they will continue contractor coordination and return any required approvals to the next scheduled meeting.