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By
Shawn Daley Editor
As Apex Parks, Recreation and Cultural
Resources Director John Brown recently walked along the nearly completed
first phase of the Beaver Creek greenway, he noted how surprised he was at
the feedback from local residents.
“We’ve hardly had any complaints,” said
Brown. “Not even when the construction was going on. People really seem to
be happy about this project.”
No sooner did Brown speak those words than an elderly man walking along
the path approached him.
“You did a great job (with the greenway). It’s outstanding,” said the man
before continuing his mid-day stroll.
“See what I mean?” said a smiling Brown. “It makes you feel good to know
you are doing something that people are enjoying.”
Brown really shouldn’t be that surprised
at the overwhelming positive response his department has received.
When Apex voters went to the polls in November of 2004, 86 percent voted
in favor of a $13 million bond referendum that would help improve the
town’s parks and recreational facilities.
The first two projects funded by the bonds included Phase I of the Beaver
Creek greenway and a new gymnasium at the community center.
The 1 ˝-mile long, 10-feet wide greenway begins at Townside Drive near St.
Mary Magdalene Catholic School and winds it way through the subdivisions
of Dogwood Ridge, Pearsons Farms and Cameron Park.
The $400,000 project will have one leg end at Olive Chapel Road while
another path will eventually run through Ashley Downs and tie into Kelly
Road Park.
While Phase I should be completed by early January, Phase II won’t begin
until 2010.
“Eventually, the greenway will connect from the downtown to the American
Tobacco Trail and Jordan State Park,” said Brown. “But that’s still a few
years away.”
The completion of the new gymnasium, however, is just a few months away.
The $4 million addition will double the size of the community center from
22,000 square feet to about 45,000 square feet.
“It will be a huge facility but one that will no doubt be used as much as
the community center is now,” said Brown. “We can’t get it here fast
enough.”
The completion date has been tentatively set for June and the project is
currently right on schedule.
“We’re really happy that’s it’s coming along at the pace that it is,” said
Brown. “We are on schedule to be in the building by July 1, 2006. One of
the things that made it work is that we have an excellent architect and a
really good contractor.
“Obviously, the weather has helped. As much as I hate the drought, the
fact we haven’t had much rain over the past few months has helped
accelerate the project.”
Once the addition is complete, the department’s offices will be moved from
the old town hall on Salem Street.
That will set the stage for another bond project to begin, the restoration
of the old town hall and its transformation into a cultural arts center.
“We are real excited to move from the building downtown where we’ve been
for almost 19 years,” said Brown. “We’ll be moving into a new facility
with additional office space. The other reason I’m excited is this allows
us to move forward with the performing arts and cultural center.
“Restoration of the old town hall, the community center expansion and
Phase I of the Beaver Creek greenway were all part of the bond projects
that citizens approved in November of 2004. So we are moving right along
with what we told folks we would do.”
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