Nearly 17 years after Georgetown County embarked on a major 18-year Capital Improvement Plan, the final project has been completed under that plan.
Waverly Park, a $6 million tournament-level softball park for elementary-age children, was completed in late February. A ribbon cutting will take place Wednesday, March 13, at 5 p.m. Players are already using the park’s fields for practice sessions.
With the ribbon cutting, the county will mark the Capital Improvement Plan as complete — and successful — though there was some deviation from the original plan, which laid out $313.5 million in projects. Over the course of nearly two decades, there were price increases, revenue decreases and changes in the needs of the community. Some projects, including a new Georgetown Library, were ultimately cut from the plan, while other were added or altered.
Among the many projects completed under the plan were construction of the county Judicial Center on Cleland Street, replacement of the Waccamaw Library and construction of a brand new library branch in the Sampit/Santee area, community centers in Parkersville and Murrells Inlet, new regional recreation centers, sports fields and complexes across the county, the Waccamaw Regional Tennis Center, renovation of the historic courthouse on Screven Street, and much more.
“We’re very excited that this long-awaited last project is now complete and we have a great place for younger kids to play ball on the Waccamaw Neck,” said Beth Goodale, Georgetown County director of parks and recreation.
The project replaced two outdated fields with four new fields and adds restroom and concession facilities. It also eliminated drainage issues on the site and will improve stormwater management at the park, as well as for surrounding properties, including the neighboring Waccamaw Elementary School.
Goodale said she’s proud of the design work on the site that allows for better drainage and handling of stormwater. The design included the addition of a drainage pond near the parking area. The irrigation system for the park will draw from the pond, utilizing stormwater runoff, which will first filter through the gravel in the parking area.
“We tried to be good stewards,” Goodale said. “I think the surrounding community will be pleased with what we’ve done there.”