(The Pierce County Recreation Board discussed and/or voted on the following during their monthly meeting Tuesday, August 5.)
Update on Tiger Field project: County Chairman Neal Bennett reported new lighting is on site, but has not been erected or installed. Bennett said he anticipates the lighting will be installed sometime in the next month, hopefully in time for football season. The lighting is part of overall improvements set for Tiger Field as part of a $343,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Matching Grant the county received. The county will have to match the grant.
New recreation complex: Recreation board chairman Chris Wright reported the architects, Carter and Sloope, have still not completed plans and cost estimates for the new recreation complex on County Farm Road and renovations and improvements at Ware Street/Yeomans Street. Board members have previously agreed the estimate is needed to help with planning and financing for the new facilities. Wright suggested setting a deadline of August 29 to have plans and estimates complete and presented to the recreation board. Wright said the rec board is at a standstill until it has definite numbers to start making budget plans for the project. He again endorsed applying for grants to help with financing the projects.
Freedom Fest donation: Recreation board member Brad Arington, owner of Mossy Pond Lodge, presented the recreation department with a $5,000 donation. (See related item.)
Recreation policy revisions: The board tabled revisions to recreation policies. Chairman Wright said revisions to the policies have not been completed.
Director’s report: Director Maureen Brown reported sign-ups for fall sports are well underway. With a week left before the deadline, a total of 113 have signed up for football, 71 for soccer, 32 for volleyball and 12 for cheerleading. Deadline was last Friday, August 8. The season is tentatively scheduled to start Sept. 6. Brown announced the Rec Desk app has been implemented and is doing well, despite some early glitches. The director reported the rec. department had golf, tennis and swim teams participate at state competition. She also gave a recap of summer camps, including football camps by Adrian Peterson, Hollis Thomas and Lead by Example (a group of collegiate football players) and basketball, softball, volleyball and soccer camps. Some of the camps featured revenue sharing, with a portion of the fees coming back to the department. Average attendance at each camp was about 50 children. Brown also reported on the upcoming back to school summer bash to be held Aug. 23 at the Pierce County Gym.
Next meeting: The next monthly meeting will be held at 8 a.m. Tuesday, September 2, at the Southeast Georgia Regional Agriculture Center (SEGARAC) on College Avenue.
