In The News
From the Topsail Voice, August 25, 2004. By Ashley Parker
HAMPSTEAD - Many of those who have worked so hard to see the Hampstead Kiwanis Park become a reality were on hand last weekend as a groundbreaking ceremony took place at the site of the proposed park.
State Senator R.C. Soles, state Representative Carolyn Justice, County Commissioner Chairman Dwight Strickland, County Commissioners David Williams and F.D. Rivenbark, and Surf City Mayor Zander Guy were just a few of those who had gathered at the site on Sloop Point Road Sunday, Aug. 22.
After the opening remarks by Hampstead Kiwanians and state and local officials, Strickland, Soles, Justice, Guy, Williams and Rivenbark took the first turn digging into the ground with golden shovels.
There were so many people who have helped in the park that turns had to be taken to break the ground.
The most recent step forward for the park came at the Pender County Commissioners meeting Aug. 16 when Hampstead Kiwanis Park President Todd Godin signed an agreement with the commissioners that allowed the Kiwanis Club to donate portions of the 82-acre piece of land to the county as matching funds.
That agreement enables the park to receive state and federal funds for development and maintenance.
"Their willingness to keep it up excites me from a county manager perspective," said Pender County Manager Andy Hedrick.
The county will benefit from the agreement by having a district-size recreational park in the county.
The agreement outlines the county's and Kiwanis Club's plans for cooperation in appointing members of the park board and allocation of funds for the park. The contract is valid through 2006.
Godin signed the agreement along with Strickland, Williams, and Heather Williams, who is also with the Hampstead Kiwanis.
"This is what it's all about," said Godin, holding his son at the meeting. He added that he is officially the first child to play at the new park.
Phase I of the park will include a baseball field, a utility field with restrooms, concessions, a playground, picnic shelter, irrigation and grading. The park received a $250,000 grant in July and the county promised $150,000 to get the project underway.
The master plan includes a soccer complex to be used for adult and youth tournaments as well as local high school games.
Ed Pullen, (Hampstead Kiwanis member and a sales agent
for Century 21)
presenting the first check to park chairman Todd Godin.
Photo by George
Robertson
Century 21 Sweyer
makes donation to Kiwanis Park
Kiwanis of Hampstead is on a roll. Membership is growing, rose sales brightened the day for many moms on Mother's Day and "Terrific Kids" (a key Kiwanis event in all the schools) helped to raise the bar for many talented kids.
The Kiwanis Park is on the move with grant funds received from the state and county helping to make the park a reality. Join in now and become a sponsor, a donator, and/or a worker. Kiwanis will soon be outlining the chores and goals for the park.
Three cheers went out to Sweyer & Associates Century 21 at a recent meeting. Typically, Century 21 selects a worthwhile organization to donate a percentage of each sale. This season, it is the Kiwanis Park.
Kiwanian Heather Williams
is busy scheduling speakers for the Thursday morning breakfast at the senior center.Among the speakers were state Senator, J.C. Soles, who-promised to keep his eye on Pender County; J.C. Nolan, who, kept the Kiwanians laughing; with jokes and state historic facts; and Jack Kelly, with 30 years on CBS news.
Coming soon is the Kiwanis Club's 6th Annual Golf Tournament at Castle Bay on Friday, June 25.
A Hole-in-One will win you a Sport Fisher from Page's Creek Marine, along with doorprizes, an auction, closest to the pin, and a fine meal from Smithfield's. To sign up, call Marc at 270-1717.
Join the fun, the work, and the goals of the Kiwanis Club of Hampstead today! Submitted by Ray Barwick
Thanks to Topsail Voice, June 23, 2004 - used by permission
