Chowan bond would fund $35M in upgrades to parks, rec facilities

Chowan commissioners are considering a bond referendum that, if approved, would allow the county to make up to $35 million in upgrades to county parks and recreation facilities.

Nate Halubka, a project consultant with McGill Associates of Hickory, presented commissioners with a preliminary master plan for the improvements at an April 19 meeting. His plan was based on findings that parks within Edenton town limits provide adequate recreation for residents, but are dated. The town is planning to upgrade many of those parks using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act passed by Congress 2021.

Halubka listed several proposed projects the commissioners could consider that utilize existing properties and park facilities around the county. The cost of all the projects would be $35 million over the next 10 years. A spreadsheet listed $20 million in projects to be completed over a ten-year period and another $15 million — the extra money needed for the higher possible bond — listed for future years.

Improvements scheduled for 2024-25 would cost $475,000 and include work at Bennetts Mill Pond, Cape Colony Park, the D.F. Walker Gym, Hicks Field, Pembroke Creek Park, and the Senior Center.

Improvements in year two would cost $85,000 and include work to J. Robert Hendrix Park, Red Banks District Park, and Cannons Ferry Riverwalk.

Year three improvements would total $6.5 million and include work at Purser Park and Red Banks District Park.

The following is a breakdown, by year and cost, of the remaining improvements and upgrades over 10 years:

• Year four: Earnhardt Softball Fields and Purser Park. Cost: $120,000.

• Year 5: Purser Park and a Greenway Trails Master Plan. Cost: $10.05 million.

• Year 6: Fisher Field. Cost: $1.05 million.

• Year 7: Pembroke Creek Park. Cost: $240,000.

• Year 8: Northern Chowan Community Center. Cost: $75,000.

• Year 9: Northern Chowan Community Center. Cost $1 million.

• Year 10: Chowan River Fishing Pier and the Northern Chowan Community Center. Cost: $1.108 million.

The county would spend $20.69 million, with $6.12 million of it for new facilities in the first 10 years. Another $14.9 million would be spent in future years on Bennetts Millpond, J. Robert Hendrix Park, Cannons Ferry Heritage Walk, Dillard’s Millpond, Earnhardt Field, Holiday Island Camping Platforms, John’s Island Camping Platforms, Walking Trails, and Purser Park.

One project that has been requested by citizens — a community swimming pool — was not on McGill’s list of improvements. However, commissioners are holding the option open.

Halubka told commissioners that it would be challenging for the county to justify a swimming pool financially when construction, maintenance, and staffing costs are considered.