Board hears proposals for Gates County community center staffing, programs and possible SCIF grant planning

Gates County commissioners and staff spent a lengthy portion of the April 3 meeting reviewing operations and programming at the Gates County Community Center and parks, discussing custodial staffing, program fees and longer‑term facility planning funded through state infrastructure monies.

The county’s parks and recreation staff described a mix of present responsibilities — ball field maintenance, youth programming, summer camps and facility rentals — and said custodial duties originally associated with a hired custodial position have evolved into facilities maintenance and program support. Staff requested clarity on whether the original custodial job description should be restored or a smaller, scheduled custodial allocation should be reintroduced; they estimated routine custodial work for the building would require about 20 hours per week.

Why it matters: Commissioners were concerned about duplicative payments if the school system continues to provide some field maintenance while the county assumes other responsibilities; staff said coordination is largely cooperative and that a clear plan will be needed if more county resources are dedicated to fields. Commissioners also discussed whether modest user fees for the fitness/exercise room could increase user investment and program sustainability; current fee revenue through the center was described as small (about $1,800 since July 1). Staff said some programs (e.g., senior activities) attract regular attendance when consistently offered.

Staff and commissioners also discussed expanded amenities — pickleball/tennis lines, additional courts, phased field improvements, and the long‑term possibility of a pool or splash pad — and urged a planning exercise tied to the county’s long‑range facility goals. County staff reported that a State Construction Infrastructure Fund (SCIF) request to convert remaining SCIF funds into an architecture and engineering scope for rehabbing the old community center was approved; staff said the amount available for design work is roughly $450,000 and that a planner and state officials will be invited to discuss short‑ and long‑term funding and site options once scheduling is finalized.

Ending: Commissioners directed staff to continue planning and to arrange a meeting with state and legislative contacts (state senator and representative were mentioned) to align funding pathways and design priorities; no formal budget vote was taken on staffing changes at the meeting.