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Cramerton moves ahead on downtown recreation center partnership with Catawba Riverkeeper
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Summary
The Town of Cramerton agreed to move forward with a public–nonprofit partnership to open a downtown recreation and art center at 117 Center Street, with an estimated town commitment of $450,000 over five years and an anticipated 6–8 month buildout timeline.
The Town of Cramerton Board of Commissioners on Jan. 6 unanimously authorized staff to prepare documents for a proposed downtown Recreation and Art (“CRAMR”) Center, a public–nonprofit partnership led by the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation.
John Searby of the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation and Eric Smallwood, Cramerton’s parks and recreation director, told the board the center would occupy roughly 3,500 square feet at 117 Center Street and offer bike and kayak rentals, fishing gear, disc golf programming, retail sales and fee-based programs. Searby said any profits received by the foundation would be donated to the South Fork River Health Project.
The project team described the concept as grant-eligible and said the Town’s financial responsibility would be $450,000 spread over five years; Searby told commissioners the first year likely would not be recouped, but the project anticipates recovering about $50,000 annually in years two through five. The presenters estimated interior work — including relocation of bathrooms — would take about six to eight months, with a target completion in spring 2023.
Commissioners and staff discussed operational details including hours, use of outdoor space behind the building, marketing, potential tourist grants and a request from Commissioner Helms that local residents receive a discount. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board unanimously endorsed the concept at its prior meeting; the board voted unanimously to authorize the town manager to prepare a letter of commitment and related agreements for the mayor’s signature.
The board’s action at the Jan. 6 meeting was procedural — moving the concept forward to formalize agreements and pursue grant funding. No binding long-term contract or final budget appropriation was approved at the meeting.
Next steps: staff will prepare the commitment letter and draft agreements for the mayor’s signature and pursue identified grant opportunities; the town manager indicated the landlord has other prospective tenants, making a timely commitment important.