The city of Belton asked Anderson County Council on Tuesday night for $50,000 to demolish and rebuild the tennis courts at Leda Poore Park, home for the past 57 years of the Palmetto Tennis Championships.
“The general life of a tennis court is 40-50 years,” said Belton businessman Rex Maynard, who has been active in the tennis community for many years. “We need to have the best courts and facilities to continue to compete with other bidders on the tournament.”
The total amount to renovate the facility, including new fencing in lights will be between $130,000-$140,000. Maynard said the tournament represents the largest annual sporting event in Anderson County in tourism terms of putting “heads in beds.”
Maynard said one of the competing bids for the tournament just finished a $6.5 million facility, putting pressure on Belton and Anderson County to maintain the facility and keep the tournament.
“If we don’t repair these courts, we are in great jeopardy of losing the tournament,” said. Belton City Councilman Jay West.
On Tuesday night, council also:
The Anderson County Council’s Animal Welfare Ad Hoc Committee, having complete fact gathering and three meetings with community leaders and those concerned about the puppy mill issue, will move toward getting a proposal ready soon.
“We’re going to try to get something together for an ordinance and that’s probably going to take another couple of weeks,” said. Anderson County Councilman Tom Allen, who chairs the committee.
Met for nearly an hour in executive session to discuss "Project Fleur," an economic development proposal which council members declined to go on the record identifying the company. Council unanomously approved economic incentives for the project.
Approved a finance committee to approve a $16,000 EMS grant in aid.
Approved an agreement with the Clemson University Carolina Clear, which works among regional partnerships with communities, organizations and others to educate and involve the public in waterway protection and pollution prevention.
Approved on third reading fee-in-lieu-of tax structures for SMF-SC, LLC.
Approved on third reading an ordinance to provide for the creation of the Sharen Ridge Subdivision Special Tax District.
Approved on second reading an ordinance amending Ordinance 1/99-00-1, the Anderson County Zoning Ordinance, as adopted lily 20, 1999, by amending the Anderson County Official Zoning Map to rezone from C-2 (Highway Commercial) to R-A (Residential Agricultural) two parcels of land, identified along Lakeside Drive, Denver Road, and Clemson Boulevard, consisting of +/- 24.93 acres in the Denver-Sandy Springs Precinct.
Endorsed Rocky River Master Plan, with no commitment of funds or action based on the EPA study.
Anderson County Councilwoman Gracie Floyd was sick and unable to attend Tuesday night's meeting.