Special to The Pee Dee Post
* Related coverage: Voters to weigh in on sales tax hike initiative
ROCKINGHAM — Signs began popping up around Richmond County over the weekend, and soon they will be joined by billboards and direct mail:
“Vote Yes for Parks and Rec,” and “Vote Yes for Jobs and Growth.”
On Nov. 4, voters in Richmond County will have the opportunity to approve a quarter-percent increase in local sales tax, with the extra money helping fund a new, state-of-the-art complex for baseball, softball and soccer, while also providing a walking trail, disc golf course, dog park and playground area.
The increase in sales tax essentially means for every $1,000 spent in the county, there will be an extra $2.50 available for the project. It is expected to cost about $10-12 million and will be built by the city of Rockingham off Old Aberdeen Road, near the Roberdel community.
And since a sales tax increase will help fund it, the cost will be shared by visitors in the community, who might only be passing through for the day.
The Committee to Promote Growth and Economic Development, with a membership of about 15 parents who support this project, is running the campaign, which already has received the endorsements of the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce and the Richmond County Board of Realtors. Back in July, the Richmond County Commissioners voted to put this referendum on the November ballot.
Committee members include Keith Parsons, Vagas Jackson, Kristie Long, Michelle Parrish, Alan Anderson, Charles Hudson, Danny Lampley, Earl Nicholson, Eddie Sampson, Eric Thompson, Jackie Webb, Jamie Lambeth, Jennifer Wrenn, Matthew Liles and Mica Way.
The new facility will be built on land already owned by the City of Rockingham, so every dollar committed from this measure will go toward construction. The site is ready to go, and after approval of the referendum, construction likely will begin early in 2016 and should take about 14-16 months.
Once completed, Richmond County will have a showplace capable of hosting regional, statewide and national tournaments for multiple sports, which will bring hundreds of people into the area for several consecutive days. Current residents should enjoy the new park, as well, taking advantage of another addition to the quality of life in Richmond County.
The city will use this complex in addition to its existing fields for the Parks and Recreation department, which serves participants from the entire county; about 60 percent of those who sign up are from outside the city limits.
Yard signs are available for everyone wishing to show their support of the referendum. Please contact Parsons at 910-995-1670 for more information.