Friday November 3rd a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new Mitchell YMCA in Spruce Pine. Two more groundbreaking events were held in Mitchell County on Monday afternoon, November 6th. State and county officials were on hand in Bakersville to break ground on the new Law Enforcement Center. The Center, located at 305 Baker Lane is located in the former Quality Plus Apparel factory. Renovations will come from a $5 million grant and is scheduled to be completed October of 2024. The facility will include accommodations for approximately 75 staff members, improved evidence processing and storage, interview rooms, K-9 kennels, intoxylzer room and additional areas.
Later in the afternoon groundbreaking ceremonies were held at Crimson Laurel Circle in Bakersville for the new Recreation Center. Located next to the County Administration Building, the recreation center will feature an indoor facility with walking track, basketball court, pickleball court, locker rooms, workout area with equipment and more. The outside part will have fields for baseball, soccer and T-ball, bleachers, festival space and parking for 200 vehicles.
Also part of the Recreation Center project is expansion of the Creek Walk with a pedestrian bridge across Cane Creek with a walkway connector passing under the Hwy 226 Bridge in Bakersville connecting the Creek Walk with the Wade Tipton Field and Indoor Facility. The Cane Creek basin with undergo creek stabilization with inclusion of flood prevention, fishing features, storm water bio retention areas, wetland features and a dog park. The new Recreation Center is being constructed using $5.7 million in grants and has a projected completion date of November 2025.
