Beaufort County breaks ground on Wesley Felix Community Center funded by ARPA

Beaufort County officials and local leaders on St. Helena Island on Saturday marked the groundbreaking for the Wesley Felix Community Center, a new community facility county staff say will provide senior programming, after‑school activities, space for potential health clinics and flexible meeting rooms.

"100% of this facility was paid for, by ARPA funds," Audra Antonacci Ogden, assistant county administrator, said during the event, confirming that American Rescue Plan Act funding will cover the project cost. County PIO Hannah Nichols said the project has just entered the first stages of design after a staff review with the planning department.

The building’s design and size were described by project architect Arnie McClure of Coast Architects. "It's little over 3,000 square feet, 3,200 square feet of interior space plus some porch space," McClure said, adding the facility will include meeting rooms, a small medical clinic area, a kitchen and a back porch that can function as a concession area for events.

Interim Capital Projects director Robert Getze and Parks and Recreation director Eric Brown both highlighted the building’s flexible layout and its role as a starting point for expanded programming on St. Helena. Getze described the site work already underway and said the project includes a new parking lot and other site amenities. "We are anticipating a 9 to 12 month construction process," Getze said, while Brown said he had heard a construction estimate of "anywhere between 8 to 12 months." Nichols earlier estimated the design review would take about 6 to 9 months before significant on‑site construction begins.

County Councilman York Glover placed the new center in a historical and community context, recounting local recreation traditions and urging continued community and council support. "The voice of the community is so critical in getting things done," Glover said, and he urged work on additional amenities such as walking pathways to improve access and safety on St. Helena.

Contractors and design firms named at the event include Mitchell Construction, Carolina Engineering and Coast Architects. County staff said the building is intended to be expandable and to serve as a hub for youth and senior programs; Carrie Major, a local advocate, called the facility "phase 1" and emphasized a need for after‑school and intergenerational programming.

County Administrator Michael Moore thanked staff and council members for their support and confirmed another county groundbreaking for the Agnes Major Community Center in Sheldon is scheduled soon. The ceremonial portion of the event concluded with a traditional shovel photo op and remarks from county leaders. County officials directed residents to bcscrec.com and beaufortcountysc.gov for information about programs and project updates.

Next steps outlined by county staff are completion of the design phase, permitting and then site construction; officials cautioned construction timelines can shift due to typical on‑site factors. No formal vote or ordinance was taken during the ceremony.