By NICOLE CARTRETTE

Columbus County Parks and Recreation has come a long way since director Carol Worrell was hired in October 1977 as a secretary. She has watched the department grow from two employees, a portable office space and one used tractor to eight employees and more than 20 park facilities.

But before she even considers retirement Worrell wants to see something bigger happen to Columbus County.

A 50-acre regional super park that offers residents an indoor swimming pool, basketball court and walking trail may be in the county’s future.

“It’s a dream I think will become a reality,” Worrell said as she studied a sketch of the park that will feature tournament-ready ball fields, soccer fields and tennis courts. A playground, mini-water park and skate park is also part of the concept she plans to share with members of the Columbus County Family and Youth Association this week.

“The possibilities are endless,” Worrell said, adding that recreation is something that is not going away. Parks and Recreation often receives phone calls from people new to the area interested in what county recreation has to offer. While the department offers several youth sports programs, bowling for the handicapped and dance lessons, among other activities, Worrell said there is a need to provide more.

“People who move from larger areas are very disappointed,” she said, pointing out that many recreation departments offer swimming lessons.
A soccer complex would give kids who travel long distances to play an opportunity to participate in large tournaments here at home as would the ball fields and tennis courts. Those tournaments have significant economic potential as well, tournament planners said. Mike Jackson, parks and recreation director for Tabor City, said a 16-team state tournament brought in around $20,000.

Coined “Centennial Park” for Columbus County’s centennial anniversary in 2008, Worrell said the complex would include a banquet center and conference room.

“If you have a nice park it has the potential to bring industry,” Worrell said. Ideally, she would like to see the park built near the county industrial park and has her eye on a large parcel of land there, owned by the Committee of 100. She hopes to see some kind of ribbon cutting or groundbreaking for the project in one to two years, hopeful that grant funding will make possible the estimated $9 million project.

While plans for the new park brew, the department stays focused on community park improvements. Friday, center directors and other recreation staff were busy upgrading the playground beside Edgewood school. The fast-paced weeklong project is one of several undertaken this year to bring outdated playground equipment in compliance with safety standards. Worrell said the staff’s dedication is what makes the department’s park projects and programs possible.

In the past year, more than 4,000 residents have participated in department-sponsored programs for an average cost of $3.10 per person. The department maintains and mows more than 125 acres of property that includes the county airport, Kramer Field, Mable Bradley Park in the Mt. Olive Community, Elra Gertrude Spaulding Park in the Farmer’s Union community, Brinkley Park at Lake Waccamaw, Bella Coola Boat Landing, Sandyfield Park, Ransom Community Park, Chadbourn Depot, Tabor City Park and Riegelwood Park, among others.