Construction Crews Make Progress at St. Andrews Park

Construction of the recreation center at is under way. 

The new facility will include a gym, meeting rooms, a kitchen, a crafts room, a weight room and a swimming pool. The park is also getting new outdoor restrooms for athletic events. 

The project is on schedule to be completed in early 2012, said Ronnie Kinnett, head of property management for the Richland County Recreation Commission. The groundbreaking ceremony was in March. 

Rhonda Shy, who lives near St. Andrews, said she plans to take her 8-year-old son to the park when she's in the area. Her friends who live in St. Andrews don't have many options when it comes to entertainment for their children, she said. 

"They spend a good chunk of money trying to entertain their kids when they'd rather take them to the park and let them run around for free," Shy said. "I think it will be a great enhancement for the area." 

The construction project is part of $50 million in recreation bonds to update Richland County parks and to build news ones. Richland County Council approved the bonds in September 2008. The Richland County Recreation Commission website has a complete list of park projects. 

St. Andrews Park was originally dedicated in March 1970. The two-acre park includes tennis courts and soccer, baseball and softball fields.