Clinton City Council has authorized an MOU* with the Clinton Family YMCA to handle programming at the new Recreation Complex on Hwy 56.
The City will have access to multi-purpose fields there this month and access to baseball fields in August. The Y will move its soccer leagues from Presbyterian College to the Rec Complex and its baseball from the Y site on Springdale Drive to the Rec Complex.
When the fields are not in Y use, people can use the fields for their own recreation, such as throwing footballs and baseballs, and practice. Plans call for a splash pad at the site, in addition to picnic shelters and walking/biking trails. One long-range plan reviewed by council called for an amphitheater.
Council Member Anita Williams wondered at the July 7 regular meeting when it was decided to have the Y as manager of the Rec Complex. Council Member Megan Walsh, formerly a Y board member, said the Clinton YMCA always has played a “hand-in-hand” role in programming for City recreation.
City crews will maintain the complex and the fields.
Y personnel will coordinate league play and tournaments at the site.
Williams said that is unfair to families who cannot afford to be Y members. However, the Y’s Executive Director Harold Nichols said no child is turned away from leagues’ participation because of cost. Families who want their children in leagues do not to be Y members; however, Y members pay a slightly reduced fee for leagues. The Y raises private money to provide scholarships (fee or reduced-fee access) for its programs.
Williams voted “no” on the MOU.
Mayor Randy Randall said, “We’ve had many good years of cooperation and good work from the Y. As Mr. Nichols says, ‘It all starts at the Y.’ They provide our young people, and some of us old people, with good recreational opportunities.”
Nichols said programming is different from operating the Y building, which includes an indoor pool. For programming, he said, the Clinton Y strives to make sure all children can participate equally.
“We don’t deny anybody the opportunity to participate in our leagues because of money - 68% of people who participate in our leagues — baseball, soccer, basketball - are on some kind of cost reduction (free or reduced-cost scholarship),” Nichols said.
Walsh said, “We are not turning over the entire management to the Y. They manage the rec teams; they receive money from our budget. Children do not have to be members of the Y to participate in those leagues. We maintain it (the new recreation center), the Y does the programming, schedules and runs tournaments.”
Also, at its regular monthly meeting on July 7, council put its June 23 minutes on hold because of a citizens’ concern. Janet Young Baker pointed out a discrepancy between the June 2 minutes and the June 23 minutes regarding two ordinance reading for re-zoning on North Adair Street; and city staff was tasked to research the matter and make the two sets of minutes reflective of the re-zoning action recommended by the City Planning Commission. The June 2 minutes and the June 30 minutes were approved.
Council also heard from Pastor Kenneth Murray Jr. about an issue related to Mt. Moriah Baptist Church and the same North Adair Street property, and from Laurens County Emergency Management Director Sonny Ledda about being prepared for hurricane season.
Hurricane Helene severely damaged Laurens County on Sept. 27, 2024.
Also, Laurens County Council Member Arthur Philson Jr. invited the council and audience members to a July 10 meeting of a county task force on planning and zoning at New China Baptist Church on Milam Road, between Clinton and Laurens.
Laurens County does not have the property-rights zoning protections for the Cities of Clinton and Laurens.
Council approved having a 4-sided kiosk installed at The Depot reflecting local sites of Revolutionary War battles.
Local Historian Durant Ashmore said the structure will direct people visiting during next year’s 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 2026) to important battle sites like Musgrove Mill, Hammond’s Store, and Hayes Station.
A volunteer committee of Laurens County residents, including Ashmore, has been working for the past 5 years to get the county ready for this anniversary, and the historical-tourism it will generate.
Ashmore said he believes the kiosk cost could be covered with private money.
Council agreed to spend $20,000 of budgeted money on community assistance grants for these community groups: Eastside Elementary, $500; SafeHome, $1,500; District 56 Science Olympiad, $5,000; Keep Laurens County Beautiful, $1,000; Agency on Aging (Meals on Wheels), $500; The Zone, $1,500; Open Door, $2,500; Laurens County Cancer Association, $1,000; Veterans Agriculture Association, $1,000; Good Shepard Free Clinic, $1,000; The Go Center, $1,200; Clinton Canopy, $1,000; Laurens County Community Theatre, $500; and YMCA toy drive, $1,000.
Council approved the 2025 workplace safety statement, the PMPA** (electrical) Catawba Nuclear Plant agreement, appointment of Charles Gustafson as an at-large member of the Zoning Board of Appeals (3 more appointments needed from city wards), and suspension of the blue laws so businesses in the city can open and sell on Sunday, if they want to do so (action must be taken every 6 months).
Council received its May financial report and was given an update on FEMA*** payments for damage from Hurricane Helene, and was asked to consider alternative dates for a strategic planning workshop. Williams reminded council of a July 24 Lydia Mill community town-hall-style meeting, and Walsh thanked citizens and staff for their involvement in Fourth of July activities in and around the city.
Council members asked citizens to keep flooding victims in Texas and North Carolina in their prayers.
*MOU = Memorandum of Understanding.
**PMPA = Piedmont Municipal Power Agency.
***FEMA = Federal Emergency Management Administration.
