South Bryan RHRA Director Kay Green has been working in the county for three months now and Tuesday, she gave the Bryan County Commission an update on how things are going so far.
"I’ve gotten my feet wet and there’s a lot to do. Everything seems to be going really well," she said.
Green said progress at Henderson Park is looking good – but the park’s completion can’t come soon enough.
With RHRA soccer season starting up in August, before the park is scheduled to open, Green said it will leave soccer players wanting more. She said organizers anticipate 550 participants this year.
"Soccer was short of fields last year and this year, the new elementary school is cutting off part of their largest playing field," she said. "I’m going to be talking with the soccer organizers, the county and the school to try and find a solution."
County Administrator Phil Jones said the county has planned to wait to officially open the park until roads were paved and the concession stand and restrooms were fully functional.
"We can definitely look into getting the roads paved sooner rather than later and seeing if that’s a possibility," Jones said.
Green said that would provide soccer teams’ access to the synthetic fields in the park, or double the playing space they currently have.
"We have overflowing numbers in lots of our programs," she said. "On an average Saturday night, we’re seeing 1,200 people coming through. Henderson Park is going to be really, really used."
The RHRA has also been hosting open gym nights for adults. Green said she’s heard requests to extend it and pointed out whenever someone is at the office and there are no organized activities scheduled, anyone is welcome to use the gym.
But Green would like to see another gym for Bryan County residents.
"For our youth basketball, we could use another gym. It’s being used every single day, with over 600 participants. The old elementary school gym is also being used," she said.
North Bryan Rec Director Pratt Lockwood said they’re also "jam packed to the gills." This past year, he said nearly 40,000 people have come through Hendrix and Richmond Hill Parks during the baseball, softball and soccer seasons.
The RHRA has allowed schools use of the gyms during the year and Green said she’d like to see that reciprocated for RHRA games next season.
The commissioners recommended Green go before the Board of Education and ask for their consideration.
To see photos and up-to-date information about events, field accessibility, etc., see the new website at rhrasports.org.