Answering Demand: Cherryville Builds for Recreation
By: Grace Smith – Wise News Network
CHERRYVILLE, NC (WNN) – In response to growing demand, Cherryville will welcome a new recreation facility. Plans have been drafted for a multi-purpose gymnasium as part of a push toward revamping the city’s recreation department.
Gaston County funded 1.5 million dollars for the new facility. County Commissioner Allen Fraley said he encouraged the board to allocate the money towards Cherryville’s recreation.
“I think I got the support because we don’t really have a county park close to this area. There are many parks around the county that are located closer to the citizens than they are for Cherryville.” said Fraley.
The city manager, Brian Dalton, said the new gym is necessary because youth sports have become increasingly popular. Many children who live in the city play club sports. The demand for practice spaces is overwhelming for the existing gymnasiums in Cherryville.
“With all the programs the high school has we don’t have anywhere for [club sports] to go during the week.” said Dalton.
Currently, the only gymnasiums that are available for use are attached to schools. Dalton said that children who participate in club sports can not practice often and only get to play during games or on their own time.
The gymnasium will be 8,800 square feet and will include a court suitable for basketball and volleyball. It was designed after the Tug Deason Gym in Stanley, NC.
Contractors have said that the project will take approximately 10 months to complete. Dalton is hopeful the space will be open for use in a year.
This news comes as Cherryville dedicates many resources to revitalizing the recreation department. The city has been without a full-time recreational director for many years. Dalton said they are looking to hire one soon.
Cherryville can also expect a new splash pad and pickleball courts in the future. The funds for the splash pad and future recreational director were given by Piedmont Lithium. The company donated $500,000 to the city this year to support its recreational growth.
Additionally, Piedmont Lithium and the city have an agreement that promises $500,000 per year for the next 20 years towards city recreation.
With many of these coming changes, the people who benefit the most are the city’s children.
“You have got to have spaces for kids to go play. I like the idea of getting this gym open, and on a Saturday or a Sunday, that is now somewhere kids can go and play basketball or whatever it might be.” said Dalton.
Although the city is working to improve Cherryville’s recreational facilities, multiple public school gyms have not been updated in years. Gaston County Schools is responsible for the upkeep of Cherryville’s public school gyms.
Citizens took to Facebook to inquire about why Nixon Gymnasium does not have air conditioning. Crystal Thornburg, a concerned resident, posted on October 7, 2023: “I understand we are one of only a few schools in all of Gaston County who still do not have air conditioning in our high school gym.”
The Gaston County School Board did not respond to any attempts of contact.
Dalton said the decision to build the new facility did not relate to the state of the public schools’ gyms. Despite this, the city believes the new space can benefit all Cherryville citizens, school-aged children specifically.
The new gymnasium will be located near the downtown area on South Oak Street and East Academy Street. The land for this project was donated by Carolyn Summer in honor of her deceased husband, Larry Summer.
“Larry was very instrumental in the community.” Dalton said, “He’s done a lot of work over the years. Economic development, commission, he was always involved with stuff like that, their family has been generous to donate the land.”
The city is currently finalizing the bids before breaking ground on the project.
Citizens eagerly await the upcoming recreational improvements. The new gym is expected to be ready by the next basketball season, offering a great place to watch future club games.
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