Derek Church Williams, president of Charlotte-based Site Solutions, told a group attending a public workshop this evening, “We haven't figured out how it should be put together.”

He said, however, part of the planning, should county commissioners agree to move forward, would be to establish a county-wide recreation advisory committee before jumping into a search for a director.

There will be one more meeting to fine-tune the findings in the workshops and surveys before the plan is presented to county commissioners, Williams said.

Facilities used could be those already existing, such as closed schools as well as using the 4-H Rural Life Center, he said.

Dia Denton, deputy county manager, said following this evening's meeting, the September presentation would give commissioners time to ask questions and think about the recommendations. If commissioners opted to go with it, “I think it would be included in the capital outlay process,” she said.

Prior to the September presentation to commissioners, Site Solutions will have another public forum where tweaks to the recommendations given this evening will be made and capital costs associated with those recommendations will be identified. The tweaks will include sources of funding options as well identifying community partnerships. “This plan will look at different options on how the county gets into into the parks and recreation business,” Williams said.

Roanoke Rapids Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon said afterward, “Roanoke Rapids is always willing to work with the county.”

The results of eight workshops determined the biggest recreation need in the county to be equestrian trails and centers, followed by recreation centers and gyms and swimming facilities.

Needs identified through three student workshops included paintball and swimming facilities as well as dog parks.

The telephone survey revealed 75 percent felt more walking tracks were needed, followed by open spaces and picnic and fishing areas. Fifty-one percent of those surveyed by phone indicated they would support a tax increase to fund recreational improvements.

The workshops suggested that improvements be made to the 4-H Center to not only facilitate more equestrian interests, but to make it more of a district park that could include athletic fields.

Williams also suggested exploring a partnership with Medoc Mountain State Park, which is the second most used park in the county. “That would involve bringing the state parks to the table.”

He also suggested using existing and retired schools as part of the solution. “You should seek opportunities with the Nature Conservancy and should consider opportunities to expand tourism.”

Interwoven in the proposed plan, Williams said, is the focus on promoting more healthy and active lifestyles in the county.

The recommendations also mentioned several improvements that need to be made within Roanoke Rapids, including tennis courts and the current dilemma with the Aquatic Center.

That this was mentioned in the report, could help bolster solutions to those issues.

“It gives you the data to give accurate information to city council on the needs of our community,” Simeon said.