DOBBINS HEIGHTS — Big things have been happening in the small Richmond County town within the past year, mostly to give opportunities to the younger generations.
WHAT HAPPENED: Although plans for a new community center and renovations to the town’s park were put in place years prior, the results began to come to fruition in 2015.
The community center, located next to the park on Earle Franklin Drive, opened on June 30, complete with 12 new Hewlett-Packard computers, a small kitchen with gleaming stainless-steel appliances and a banquet hall with two flat screens and a projection screen.
The town council voted in October to award a $64,600 bid contract to Breyer and Son Asphalt Paving Co. for the repaving and striping of the basketball and tennis courts.
The council also approved a budget amendment, transferring $120,000 to the parks and recreation budget to cover the cost of the repairs. The funding comes from a six-year loan the town took out with PNC Bank at 2.54 percent interest. The costs to replace or even repair the court exceeded the town’s $25,000 parks and rec budget.
Later that month, the smell of asphalt was in the air as crews laid down asphalt on both courts.
Mayor Antonio Blue — who came under fire in 2014 for closing down the basketball court because of dangerous cracks — said the upcoming fix should have a 15-year lifespan.
The town also launched its own website this fall.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT: Town leaders are hoping recent improvements will bring more people and business to Dobbins Heights as well as boost local morale.
Dobbins Heights resident Callie Martin said the park renovations will “give the kids something to do in the park instead of sitting around doing nothing…Even adults, adults can get out there and play.”
There have also been several pieces of playground equipment added to the park, including monkey bars and a climbing igloo.
The new computers at the community center, donated by the Melvin’s Mission Foundation, are for students and adults alike to be able to come in and use free of charge for schoolwork, finding a job or anything else, according to Councilwoman Angeline David.
Since opening, the center has hosted several events, including a candidate forum and a women’s empowerment breakfast. In September, it became the home of an afterschool program for elementary and middle-school students.
WHAT’S NEXT: David said the town is planning to rededicate the park very soon.
Rainy weather has slowed down progress, as the event was postponed twice in December.
New backboards for the basketball court, made by Spalding, and a net for the tennis court have yet to be installed.
“We’ve got everything, it just hasn’t been put up yet,” David said.
David, who oversees parks and recreation with Councilman Tyr’e Holloway, is hoping to get a program going for kids to learn how to play tennis, but she needs to find someone to teach them.
“You’ve got to start young,” she said. “You see where Venus and Serena are at. We can have a pro out of Dobbins Heights.”
Reach reporter William R. Toler at 910-817-2675 and follow him on Twitter @William_r_toler.