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Parks department reports: lacrosse pilot, World Series impact, pool repairs and new deputy director
Summary
Staff reported a successful lacrosse trial and World Series event (2,553 attendees), updated the board on a month-long Battery Creek pool closure for a rebuilt pump with an expected reopening around Feb. 1, and introduced new deputy director Shane Straga; the shared-use agreement with the Beaufort County School Board remains in legal review.
Beaufort County Parks and Recreation staff on Sept. 5 gave updates on youth and adult sports, recent special events, pool maintenance and staffing changes.
Staff said adult baseball and softball playoffs are under way, a trial lacrosse camp drew 31 registrants and the department plans to run weekly fall clinics and pursue a spring lacrosse program. “It was a three‑day camp, 31 people registered, and it went really well,” a staff presenter said, noting plans to expand clinics and explore forming a local team.
On events, staff recapped the World Series tournament held locally from Aug. 26–31 and reported 2,553 parents and grandparents passed through the facilities; staff estimated nearly $1,000,000 in local economic impact from the tournament. The event had some rain disruption but staff said organizers and hotels managed logistics.
Pool staff reported Battery Creek Pool was closed for about a month while a pump was rebuilt after parts were no longer available; staff said a new pump was installed and expressed hope the pool could reopen around Feb. 1. “The pump had to be rebuilt…we had to get a brand new pump built,” a pool staff member said, adding that patrons shifted to Buford Pool while repairs proceeded. Staff also described Alvin Settles Outdoor Pool as officially closed for the season and listed year‑round offerings such as swim lessons, stroke-improvement classes for adults and CPR/ lifeguard training.
The director introduced Shane Straga as the new deputy director, saying the hire came from internal candidates and that Straga will assist with administrative duties and field operations. The department also reported it has been working on a shared‑use agreement with the Beaufort County School Board; staff said county and school legal teams are reviewing final edits and cooperating in good faith to finalize the agreement soon.
Board members praised staffing and programming efforts and asked staff to consider tiered pricing and affordability options for 2025 programing. The department will report back as agreements are finalized and programming plans develop.
