Putting fun on the agenda

AIKEN --- For the first time since the late 1980s, a master plan is in the works for the city of Aiken's Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department.

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Chris Thelen/Staff

Cedar Creek Baptist Church's basketball team practices at H. Odell Weeks Activities Center in Aiken, which was built under a recreation master plan.

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Chris Thelen/Staff

David Thomas of Aiken exercises at the activities center. Those who responded to a survey said they would like to see more exercise facilities for people 50 and older.

"A master plan is only good for 10 years, so we're a little behind," department Director Glenn Parker said. "We felt like the community was changing so much with who's moving to town, we wanted to get a better handle on what the people were looking for."

Some of the results of the last master plan include Citizens Park, the Weeks Tennis Center, the expansion of the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center and the skate park.

The city wanted the public's input on what they would like to see. A survey was sent to 1,500 people in the Aiken area -- 384 were completed and returned.

Mr. Parker said the survey showed people wanted indoor walking facilities, exercise facilities for people 50 and older, and leisure and warm water pools. The survey also asked residents to identify what city facilities they used and which ones were important to them.

"The Farmer's Market and Hopelands Gardens were right at the top," Mr. Parker said. "We see that as somewhat reflective of some of the seniors that are moving in to town."

The master plan also will compare the department's marketing strategies, financial analysis and staffing with 12 other agencies in the Southeast.

Mr. Parker said the plan is about one-third complete and should be finished by early summer.

"We'll use this report to help us with the third round of local option sales tax and subsequent rounds," he said. "One of the things that makes Aiken unique is council has allowed us to be very diverse."

Mr. Parker said the department, like others across the country, has evolved over the years.

"We see a lot of agencies across the country changing their name to leisure services," he said. "That's more the business we're in. We touch so many people with all the different programs we do, from little kids to seniors."

Reach Michelle Guffey at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or michelle.guffey@augustachronicle.com