Parks and Recreation presents participation metrics, pool delay updates and CIP projects

Beaufort County Parks and Recreation staff on Jan. 9 presented a year-over-year review of program metrics, updates on pools and facilities, and a progress report on capital improvement projects including artificial turf fields at Buckwalter and renovations at multiple recreation centers.

Director Kevin Brown and department staff showed participation trends across Lynn Brown, Burton Wells and Buckwalter recreation centers and described registration and check-in metrics for youth and adult leagues. Staff said some apparent decreases were due to changes in registration systems and to program structure (for example, camps shifted from weekly registrations in 2022 to longer session registrations in subsequent years).

On athletics, staff highlighted recent successes in Bluffton’s youth soccer (multiple state championships and a 15U runner-up), ongoing youth basketball with roughly 932 participants across 119 teams, and adult leagues that have seen mixed enrollment trends. Staff said lacrosse registration is nascent but that the department plans outreach and free clinics to grow participation across north and south county schools. Staff noted the existing school-district partnership and said they will coordinate with athletic directors across public and charter schools to expand access.

Senior services reported significant growth: staff said group dining served roughly 15,842 participants across eight centers, with Bluffton, Port Royal and St. Helena showing waiting lists. Staff described active community outreach by centers, field trips and volunteer projects.

Pools and aquatic programs: staff reviewed check-in counts at Battery Creek and Beaufort pools and singled out FINS (a swim program) usage: November check-ins for FINS at Battery Creek were 470 and December 434. Staff said some patrons shift between pools when Bluffton Pool is closed.

Bluffton pool reopening remains delayed. Staff said parts back-ordered by the contractor prevented meeting the original completion date; the contractor is incurring daily liquidated damages for missed deadlines. The meeting transcript reported a February 1 target date earlier provided by the contractor but staff did not confirm a firm reopening date and emphasized that final timing is controlled by the contractor and permitting processes.

Capital projects and master-plan items: staff told the board that Wesley Felix and Agnes Major complexes have contractors and that permitting is underway; no ground-breaking date was given. The county’s master plan remains active and project timing will depend on funding, permitting and environmental reviews. Staff said Buckwalter is planned to receive four new artificial turf fields (department reported the project is about 60% complete on preliminary steps) and added that the county will review infill choices (rubber versus sand/alternative fills) in light of heat and allergy considerations raised by other local installs.

Staff emphasized that many projects are proceeding through the county’s CIP process and that scheduling, environmental clearance and contract performance will determine final timelines. Board members asked for continued updates. Staff also said marketing and outreach efforts will highlight new recreation and non-athletic programs, and that registration numbers will be monitored as the year progresses.

The board thanked staff for the metrics and for program outreach work; the next regular meeting is March 6 in Bluffton.