Very few citizens showed up for the presentation of the Mount Pleasant Recreation Master Plan last week.
The proposed plan will be reviewed by the town’s elected officials and voted on in the coming weeks.
In light of the growth experienced by the town over the last several years and in anticipation of future growth, the town  commissioned Seamon, Whiteside & Associates, Inc. to evaluate current and future recreational needs of the community, and provide recommendations in the form of a master plan.
The pressures of a growing and changing population continually provide challenges that must be addressed if it is to retain its position as one of the premier municipal providers of recreational services in the state of South Carolina, according to Town Administrator Mac Burdette.
Using demographic information from the 2005 Special Census, Town of Mount Pleasant Population Forecasts and Traffic Area Zone counts provided by the Town of Mount Pleasant Planning Department, the growth rate of the Town of Mount Pleasant is projected to be 1.5 percent per year through 2015.
Predicting recreational demand in Mount Pleasant is made particularly difficult given the demographic shift anticipated because of the aging of the “baby boom” population of Mount Pleasant. Over the next 15 years, the average age in Mount Pleasant will increase from 38 to 46 years of age.
The report indicates the town should be prepared to complete a capital campaign of $15 million. This amount does not include operations or maintenance costs that will be required for additional or expanded facilities.
However, the ability to fund new facilities will be difficult.
Of the existing parks owned by the town, the report recommends emphasizing mini neighborhood parks and improving existing athletic facilities.
Improvements include everything from adding shelters for scorekeepers and irrigation to specific fields, replacing gym floors, adding storage facilities and additional rest room facilities, resurfacing fields and adding additional tennis courts.
For projects that are underway or will be soon, the proposed plan encourages immediate focus on subsequent phases and a continued partnership between schools, churches and the county park system in sharing of facilities.

Reccommendations
•Using the Half Cent Sales Tax and working in conjunction with the Charleston County PRC, the town should purchase a tract of land within the Rifle Range Road corridor above the Isle of Palms connector, of not less than 30 acres.
•The town should complete the master plan for the Carolina Park recreation area within the next 12 to 14 months and develop Phase I of the project within two years. Phase II should be completed within five years and the final phases completed by 2017.
•Continued efforts should be made to partner with the Charleston County School District (CCSD) and area churches to augment basketball and volleyball floor space. The old Wando gym should be of primary interest to the town as the CCSD considers options for a new high school and swing school space.
•The town should develop a master plan for trails development that would link different areas of the town.
•At least three additional tennis courts should be constructed at the Mugsy Kerr Tennis Center during the planning period.
•Should Whitesides Elementary School be relocated, the town should make every effort to purchase the existing facility and land from the CCSD.
•The town should construct an exercise pool at either the Jones Center or the new Senior Services Center with health related exercise programs being concentrated in this facility to free up lane space at the Jones pool.

New park assement
Based on the 2017 population projections, Recreation Department participation data for 2003-2007, public input, and the Town of Mount Pleasant's staff recreation assessments the following observations and recommendations are promulgated with respect to recreation facilities and programs.
The aging of the indigenous population will be the dominant factor affecting composition of the future Mount Pleasant population.

(Recommendations are ordered by priority)
•Develop the Carolina Park Tract. It is recommended that this facility be constructed in three phases over a 10-year period. Furthermore, it is suggested that the site be designed within the next 12-14 months as a multi-purpose facility that could accommodate a proposed program of 6-8 fields of various sizes and four diamonds.
As a part of this development a playground and walking trail should be considered. Construction $ 5,800,000
•Construct a Therapy Pool at R.L. Jones Center. It is recommended that the design of a therapy pool at the Jones Center be initiated as soon as possible in order to facilitate construction and completion by the end of 2008.
Construction $ 900,000
(Note: The potential of a comprehensive natatorium complex is an exciting prospect and could not only address a complete range of swimming needs but allow for significant revenue generation through regional swim meets, retail sales, etc. The town should investigate partnering opportunities with adjacent municipalities and/or recreation providers that would offer avenues for the distribution of the significant costs associated with such a facility.)
•Gymnasium Floors
The critical season gymnasium floor need is immediate. At the present team levels and with 1.5 percent growth there is a two floor deficit. By 2017 the deficit will grow to three floors at a 1.5 percent growth rate.
It is recommended that the town investigate partnering opportunities to alleviate the immediate need and consider programming and construction within the next five years of another double gymnasium possibly as part of a future land purchased for parks. A location along Rifle Range Road would ideally address service area needs.
Construction $ 4,000,000
•Mugsy Kerr Tennis Center/Whipple Road Complex - The town has adopted a Master Plan for the tennis complex that provides for the following additional facilities: four clay courts, six hard courts, a clubhouse/restroom building, trail system and associated parking. Three of the four clay courts are scheduled for construction during 2008. The Master Plan allows for the four clay courts to be constructed without removing the Whipple Road field. It is recommended that the additional clay court be constructed as soon as practical and delay the construction of the hard courts until tennis use maximizes capacity.
Construction $ 60,000
•Senior Center - Complete Phase One. Design and construct Phase Two. It will be important for the town to get ahead of the curve by not only building phase one of the proposed senior center on Von Kolinitz Road, but to proceed within the next five years to expand the center to include banquet space with a full-service kitchen.
Construction $2,200,000

Programming assessment
“We often focus on athletics  more than we do other types of programs,” Burdette said.
“The fact is we’ve got as many in programs as we do athletic progams and we have not kept pace with facility needs in terms of non-atheltic programs.”
The proposed plan suggests the town consider the following:
•Yoga
•Irish Dance Class
•Adult Fitness Class
•Water Polo
•Sailing
•Book Club
•Fitness/Nutrition
•Language Club
•Hiking/Beach Safety
•Culinary Classes
•More teen programs
•More senior programs
•More opportunities and times for swimming lessons
The primary concerns voiced by the public appear to be the need to keep facilities close to home and to provide better facilities to expand the swimming and senior programs.

Capital improvement costs
Capital improvement costs for all upgrades and new facilities recommended in this report are approximately $15 million. Regardless of the available budget, the population will continue to grow and it is expected by the citizenry that recreation improves with other public services over time.
The town may realize significant savings by employing municipal staff to participate in clearing, grading, maintenance and other basic development services.
The town should investigate outsourcing maintenance work if it saves money. The order of development will be dependent on population growth, existing park distribution, available land for recreation and other variable factors.

Upgrades Estimated Cost
Mini Parks
•Remley's Point Community Center New playground equipment $70,000
•Neighborhood Parks
Green Hill Community Center New playground equipment $70,000
•Sports Field Parks
•Duffy Complex Add new scorekeepers shelter and irrigate clay area of field $5,000
•R.L. Jones Center Provide two additional shelters to support the skatepark and softball facilities $85,000
Relocate and renovate batting cages and irrigate clay area of field
Replace Gymnasium Floor
•Patriots Point Soccer Complex expand bathroom facility and storage $115,000
•Sloan Park provide a new shelter $15,000

Facility upgrade costs
•Whipple Road Complex Resurface existing courts $350,000 - Provide bathroom facility, additional showers and a shelter
•Alhambra Park new playground equipment and add new shelter $115,000
•Park West Complex - Add new pressbox/storage area for fields #3 and #4 $45,000 - Add three (1) new batting cage.
•Wando South Update all field lighting $80,000
(Subtotal $950,000)

(Sully Witte can be reached at editor@moultrienews.com. See more stories online at www.moultrienews.com)