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Beaufort County parks staff report strong program sign-ups, outline facility repairs and warn of funding risk
Summary
Parks & Recreation staff told the county their youth and adult sports registrations are robust, several pools and courts remain closed for repairs, and a federal continuing resolution could disrupt senior meal services.
Shane Seager, deputy director, told the meeting the department recorded "fairly robust" admissions for January and February and that several program days were lost to snow this winter. Staff gave a run-through of youth and adult leagues, upcoming tournaments and planned facility work.
The department said many registrations are closed and leagues are preparing to start: "all our registrations are basically closed. Getting ready to start soccer," said Evan Christian, athletic staff. Baseball and softball teams were reported to have an opening day scheduled for the coming Saturday, and the department is hosting district and state youth basketball tournaments this month. Staff noted specific age-group results, including an automatic bid for an 8U girls team and a 10U girls district championship.
Aquatics staff reported current pool operations and closures. Battery Creek and Beaufort pools continue lessons and swim-team activities, while Alvin Settles and Bluffton pools remain closed pending repairs. "For the lifeguarding one that we just had, there were 3 in that class," an aquatics staff member said, underscoring ongoing recruitment needs for summer lifeguards.
Recreation staff outlined new offerings and camps: a pickleball session launching in April; kids-fitness and adult "tone it" classes; a spring-break camp April 14–17 for ages 6–12; and summer camps at Bluffton Center, Burton Wells and possibly Charles Lynn Brown. Staff also described outreach events—one February partnership event drew about 200 children—and continuing collaborations with SelectHealth, 1st Choice and Special Olympics.
On facilities, Seager described imminent work at Booker T. Washington (interior renovations including flooring, painting and ventilation) and longer-term planning to improve fields and explore turf options at Bluffton Center. Shellpoint Park courts have been partially closed because of root intrusion and are being considered for full resurfacing; Southside Pickleball courts required floor repairs after puddling and remain closed while contractors address issues.
Seager raised funding concerns tied to federal budgeting: "Our senior program is funded heavily by the federal government. The continuing resolution from the fiscal side, if a budget isn't passed, then we will have to be looking at how we're to run the senior program and those the dining piece of that," he said, flagging potential service adjustments if federal funding is interrupted.
The meeting also included a procedural agenda change: staff requested removing fee waiver number 7 because the applicant would not attend this session; the leaders agreed to take it off the agenda and to revisit it at the May 1 meeting. The chair noted there was not a quorum to approve the agenda formally at this session.
The department closed by reminding listeners that recruitment advertisements for camp and lifeguard positions are live. The next meeting was announced for May 1 at the Beaufort County Council Chambers.
