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Parks and Rec staff report rising participation, new facilities and several capital projects
Summary
Staff reported increased summer program participation, the reopening of the renovated Charles Lynn Brown gym, a recent BRACE project groundbreaking, a forthcoming Beaufort Pool scoping and bid process, and multiple rural center renovation timelines. The board heard staffing updates and project timing.
During department reports, Parks and Recreation staff outlined summer participation trends, staffing changes, facility updates and capital projects across Beaufort County.
Heather Clint (admin team lead) said footfall (check-in) totals are being restored after a counting device failure and that the department will add another counter at Charles Lynn Brown Center. She reported three recent full-time staffing departures and two new hires starting in short order.
Program staff reported youth and adult sports participation numbers: Bluffton summer basketball noted 443 participants, a 64-person increase in Beaufort summer basketball, and multiple youth teams advancing to state tournaments. Staff said fall registration is open for many sports, and adult baseball registration will open Aug. 1 with a planned earlier season start to avoid late-year scheduling.
Charles Lynn Brown’s renovated gym opened recently, hosting youth basketball with new bleachers, goals and scoreboards. Staff encouraged board members and the public to visit the facility. Staff also recapped one-time hosted tournaments (including a Dixie Boys District Tournament) and ongoing community events such as the ‘Unity in the Community’ event and other summer camps with high enrollment.
On capital projects, staff reported a recent BRACE project groundbreaking (work started and site fenced), a Scott Senior Center construction meeting with imminent activity expected, a Bluffton Center temporary certificate of occupancy allowing limited occupancy pending an elevator inspection, forthcoming rural-site projects (Agnes and Wesley Felix), a planned baseball renovation at the old Burton Wells, and a new Port Royal splash pad now in use.
Staff asked the board to be aware that many projects are in early phases and require elected-official and county-administrator approvals before work proceeds; they offered to share the department’s project list with board members after the meeting.
The department emphasized recruiting and retention challenges for part-time roles such as umpires and referees and asked the board to continue outreach at games to strengthen program support.
