The county now has a recreation master plan and commissioners will begin the process of appointing an advisory board of citizens across Halifax County who will make recommendations to them.

The board Tuesday night unanimously accepted the plan, which reflected a year of work that included meetings across the county as well as telephone surveys and interviews with students.

The board cautioned, however, there is no money to immediately form a recreation department.

“I commend you on a good job,” Commissioner Rives Manning told Derek Williams of Charlotte-based Site Solutions, which oversaw the creation of the plan. “It's a very good report, very comprehensive. The only problem I have is we don't have the money. I think we do need a plan. I think this is a good start, a roadmap.”

Chris Wicker, who works with tourism, told the board, “I could not be more pleased with the work of Site Solutions. They listened. They put together a very professional document.”

The plan itself, Wicker said, “Opens huge doors to go after resources to help us improve our health.”

He said the plan and the formation of the recreation advisory committee will help the county go after grant resources. “It will help every town that uses the plan. It will help tourism and all the other partners.”

Williams called the plan, “One of the strongest we have seen. It's really been driven by the people. There were 600 people involved in 10 workshops.”

He said there are many funding options available. “You can move this forward. You can do it in bit-sized pieces.”

Commissioner Carolyn Johnson said she was pleased with the report. “It's a very thorough report. There are a lot of funding opportunities.”

Commissioner Marcelle Smith agreed with Manning that the money for a recreation department is not available, but added, “I'm all for the recreation advisory committee. My opinion is to move forward.”

Board Chairman Vernon Bryant recommended a work session to continue discussions on the matter.

George Veit, of Geenex, which is in the planning stages of building a solar education center on the grounds of the old airport, pledged the company's help. “We have 10 acres left. The solar center will apply for grants. We will start the process on grant writing.”