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Volunteer committee outlines progress and fundraising for Billy Wagner Park and statue
Summary
The Billy Wagner Park committee reported geotechnical work, sculpting progress and fundraising—about $100,000 raised toward a $300,000 goal—and said groundbreaking is set and a dedication planned for October 2026.
A volunteer committee updating the council on Billy Wagner Park said the project has completed core drilling, contracted a sculptor and progressed a life‑size statue through clay modeling and molding stages. The presenter said the clay model was completed recently, mold work began in early May and the foundry work will proceed in Texas before reassembly in South Carolina.
The committee said it has raised just over $100,000 toward a $300,000 fundraising goal and has spent roughly $74,000 to date; the committee emphasized that money donated by the town has not been spent and remains segregated. The presenter described construction and site preparation plans, including reusing the on‑site flagpole, relocating trees to the dog park and constructing a reinforced foundation expected to support the statue’s 7–8 ton weight.
Fundraising events listed by the committee include a golf tournament, a banquet planned for late summer, 5K runs and t‑shirt and brick paver sales; the committee said the main dedication is targeted for October 17, 2026. Committee members outlined engineering steps taken to assure structural stability and said the design includes bollard lighting and brick paver paths for donor recognition.
Council members thanked the committee and asked about contingency plans should fundraising fall short; the committee said it is pursuing corporate commitments and will refine the plan if needed. No formal council action was required at the update.
