County and state officials gathered in Cullowhee Saturday (Oct. 14) to break ground on a new multi-purpose complex to be constructed at the Jackson County Recreation Park. Participating in the ceremony, in addition to hundreds of youth soccer players, were (from left, center) N.C. Senator Bob Carpenter, recreation department director Jeff Carpenter, Jackson County Manager Jay Denton and Commissioner Conrad Burrell. Funds to construct the center have come from a $250,000 N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, which is being matched by $996,227 in county funds. "We are thrilled to begin a new century with a new rec center under construction," said Jeff Carpenter, whose staff has worked out of rental space since their previous offices at Mark Watson Park were condemned. The center is part of a $20 million capital improvement plan under taken by the county to address quality of life issues in Jackson County. "We owe our thanks to the taxpayers of Jackson County," said Denton, "for supporting these projects." In addition to the rec center, other capital improvement projects include the new Scotts Creek School, a workforce development building and additional property for expansion of Smoky Mountain High, expansions at Fairview, Smokey Mountain and Blue Ridge schools, a water and sewer project along Skyland Drive, a new jail and the acquisition of the Western Builders site in Dillsboro to allow for growth in the county's human services programs.
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Herald photo by Lisa Majors-Duff