Architect John Jackson has been given the go ahead to draw plans for the proposed YMCA in Chesterfield.
Discussions have been ongoing regarding the possibility of bringing a YMCA to the town, and the YMCA committee has had a series of meetings since last July in an effort to put together a plan that would meet the needs of the community.
The committee determined from a community survey that a pool, workout center and gym are high priorities for locals. These recommendations were submitted to the Upper Pee Dee YMCA board, which gave its approval at a board meeting in December.
Douglas said plans are moving forward to get the YMCA open. He met Monday with Jackson, Chesterfield Town Administrator Sammie Copeland, and James Ward, Upper Pee Dee YMCA director, to discuss plans for optional uses of the existing building.
The town has acquired a 42-acre parcel adjacent to the new community center from South Craig to Laney Street to accommodate ball fields, parking and a walking trail.
The town has continued to work on funding ideas and planned to apply to the federal government for a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) matching grant. James Headley, executive director of South Carolina Recreation and Parks Association, recently sent out an e-mail to towns informing them that the new federal budget recommends the termination of this program. Headley encouraged citizens to contact their congressmen and senators in Washington to let them know how important these funds are to communities.
Douglas said, "This announcement is certainly disappointing in that the town planned to apply for those funds to develop a park at the new YMCA. I certainly don't question the need to rein in federal spending, but I do question the administration's priorities."
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