Saturday's Internet Edition, May 17, 2008.
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Billy Freeman, Parks and Recreation director, served as the tour guide. In his six years as director, Freeman said it was the first time he has ever given the City Council a tour. Members of City Council came up with the idea of touring the facilities at its winter retreat in February.
“I think it was an educational tour to give us a better way to look and see our recreational needs for our citizens in this city, for the young and old,” Councilman George Burton said following the tour. “I think it was a worthwhile tour. I think we need to look at it a lot closer and take one step forward to improve our recreational facilities for our citizens.”
City officials first met at Central Recreation Center, where they saw a leaky roof in dire need of being fixed. Then they stepped inside a school bus and took a tour of the facilities, with Freeman at the wheel.
Of the facilities toured, Freeman said Central Recreation’s roof and the City’s aging swimming pool are the two biggest needs of his department. However, those ventures would be costly, even if it was a renovation or a possible replacement with a new facility.
Nevertheless, city officials know there is interest for recreation in Thomasville.
“Recreation improves the quality of life for citizens, so there is something to do,” Burton said. “Residents can exercise, go places with the family and enjoy activities, such as baseball games.”
After the tour, a recreation committee monthly meeting was held, where members voted unanimously to allocate $39,000 toward projects at Fair Grove and Kings Row parks. While the projects are not the most needed, Freeman said he suggested them to the committee because they fit inside the realm of department’s funds.
Before the projects are final, the projects will need approval from City Council.
The City of Thomasville has taken great strides to provide recreation to its residents.
Aside from having city-owned Winding Creek Golf Course and Finch Field, a project is under way for a community center at Finch Field. The newly renovated center will have a walking trail, kids’ playground, beach volleyball court and horseshoes pits, as well as three rooms, one for recreation, another for meeting space and then a small meeting room. Also, there will be a stage for activities. The building will hold up to 150 people.
In addition, Thomasville has a heavily used skate park that was constructed in May of 2003 at the price tag of $60,000. Fundraising events were held to raise most of the money to fund the skate park.
Thomasville also offers a youth sports program and adult leagues.
To ensure all residents have recreation, Freeman said his department is working on activities for senior citizens.
“We want to encourage fitness and with that comes facility needs,” he said. “We want to continue to be a proactive as possible with meeting recreation needs.”
Staff Writer Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 231, or ignasiak@tvilletimes.com.