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County receives progress updates on Central Pender Park, Hampstead Kiwanis Park and Abbey Nature Preserve
Summary
Contractors told Pender County commissioners on June 2 that Central Pender Park work is ongoing with a new completion target in September, Kiwanis Park Phase 4 is progressing and potentially ahead of schedule, and Abbey Nature Preserve has completed construction drawings and expects bidding this fall.
Pender County staff and contractors gave the June 2 board an update on three capital projects: Central Pender Park, Hampstead Kiwanis Park Phase 4, and the Abbey Nature Preserve.
Central Pender Park: Waters Construction’s representative (introduced as Bishop Williams) reported ongoing site work including driveway, stone base, installation of a 6‑inch fire line and a 3‑inch water supply line, and that the concession building had been roughed in with gang restrooms. Williams said recent rain events added schedule risk and that the contractor had submitted a change order adding 37 days, moving the projected completion date to Sept. 11. County staff said most areas showed satisfactory soil conditions but identified one south-side parking-lot area that still required further investigation.
Hampstead Kiwanis Park Phase 4: The county’s construction manager, Matthew Williamson of Timeless Construction, reported paved courts, fencing and irrigation installation and said trades work had progressed well. He reported that inspections had been passed and that the team had pulled the substantial-completion target forward from August into July, contingent on remaining trade work and weather. Commissioners requested an updated schedule for the county manager’s office; the contractor agreed to provide one.
Abbey Nature Preserve: County staff reported the project’s water quality permit had been approved, construction drawings were complete and the county had accepted deed and maintenance agreements from the developer (Mungo Homes). Irrigation and meter bases were installed and volunteer landscaping work had reduced anticipated contractor costs. Staff said bid documents would be finalized in coordination with finance and the county manager for an anticipated Fall 2025 bid and construction start, with a goal of opening the new site in early spring 2026. The county said funding for the project is in an existing capital project fund and that the presented numbers were a probable opinion of cost pending competitive bids.
What commissioners asked: Commissioners asked for updated schedules and for more detail on retained contractor obligations where erosion or unfinished site items remain. For the Central Pender Park schedule change, one commissioner pressed the contractor for the number of daily workers and asked for cleaner schedule documentation; the contractor said workforce varied with phase and that rain days had been extensive.
Ending: Staff said they will forward updated schedules to the county manager and continue to withhold contract retainage where site corrections remain. No board action was requested at the June 2 updates.
