Pender County presents new projects: Here are 5 scheduled for completion by 2026

Chase Jordan, Wilmington StarNews
·3 min read
Pender County officials heard a presentation for completion dates of several projects.
Pender County officials heard a presentation for completion dates of several projects.

Pender County is one of the fastest growing counties in North Carolina and for officials, an influx of new residents comes with the challenges of keeping up by providing new services.

Due to overcrowded classrooms, voters approved a $178 million bond referendum for school improvements. Leaders from Pender County Schools would use $67.63 million of the funds for a new middle school and $43.92 million for an elementary school near U.S. 17.

During a February meeting for the Pender County Board of Commissioners, project manager Buddy Avery presented several other projects residents may see in the upcoming years.

Here's what to expect.

New health building

Pender County officials make plans for a new health department in Burgaw.
Pender County officials make plans for a new health department in Burgaw.

One of the projects underway is for a new Health and Human Services building close to Progress Drive. More space is needed for employees to provide services to a growing population.

The preliminary layout is complete and other engineering and architectural work has started. After more planning, a groundbreaking is expected for June 2024, before it's completed in December 2026.

The estimated cost is $28 million.

More from Pender County:What's happening in Pender? 4 projects to watch in 2023 and more

Upgrades at Penderlea

Pender County leaders present plans for Penderlea Community Park.
Pender County leaders present plans for Penderlea Community Park.

County officials are working to bring improvements to Penderlea Community Park in Willard.

Some of the plans include a restroom and picnic shelter. So far, $100,000 has been budgeted. A total project cost will be presented at upcoming meetings. A total cost will be presented at upcoming meetings.

Avery expects it to be a quick project since most of the infrastructure is already in place for things such as electricity and sewer.

The expected completion time is later this year.

Central Pender Park

The Central Pender Park is in its early stages but is slated for completion by 2025.
The Central Pender Park is in its early stages but is slated for completion by 2025.

With more than 58 acres along U.S. 117, Pender is looking to build a new park right outside of Burgaw.

The project is in the initial stages right now. But when it's complete visitors will enjoy restroom facilities, a picnic shelter, concession stand, multipurpose fields, walking path and more.

Jackie Newton, chair of the Pender County Board of Commissioners, said the property on Highway 117 was purchased because officials couldn't find property to expand the ballparks in Burgaw.

The total cost is more than $3.2 million. Funding is coming from the county and funding from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant.

The estimated completion year is 2025.

Adding more to Kiwanis Park

Improvements are scheduled for Kiwanis Park in Hampstead.
Improvements are scheduled for Kiwanis Park in Hampstead.

Hampstead's Kiwanis Park offers a lot already for visitors and community members, but county officials would like to add a lot more for the fourth phase of the project.

The park takes up more than 80 acres of land. The county would like to use 23 acres for new amenities. Some of them include six tennis courts, four pickleball courts, two multi-purpose fields, and a walking path.

The estimated cost is $2.102 million. The county is paying more than $1.6 million and PARTF grant funding is providing $500,000.

Kiwanis Park essential for Hampstead:As Hampstead Kiwanis Park grows in popularity, officials ponder uses for undeveloped space

Abbey Nature Park

Trail upgrades are part of planned improvements to Abbey Nature Preserve in Scotts Hill.
Trail upgrades are part of planned improvements to Abbey Nature Preserve in Scotts Hill.

In the Scotts Hill area, Avery and county officials are also looking forward to improvements to Abbey Nature Park after acquiring the land.

Last year, Pender County's Board of Commissioners approved a lease agreement with the owners to operate and maintain 62 acres of the property. For many decades, the preserve near the Poplar Grove Plantation was owned by the Foy family. It was later acquired by Mungo Homes, as part of a purchase of a 242-acre tract.

Previous coverage:As Pender County prepares to operate Abbey Nature Preserve, here's what to know

There are now plans for a parking lot, upgrading the trail heading towards the nature preserve, and building a nature themed playground and picnic shelter with a restroom.

The total cost has not been decided yet.

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Reporter Chase Jordan can be reached at cjjordan@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Pender County officials present projects and upgrades for growing area