At its Aug. 11 work session, the Town of Aberdeen Board approved a slate of initiatives aimed at expanding recreational amenities, revitalizing a historic space, and preparing for future development.
Pick your paddles: Pickleball paving approved
Pickleball will soon be officially in play for the Town of Aberdeen.
The board unanimously approved moving forward with the construction of four new pickleball courts at Aberdeen Lake Park, with work expected to begin within two to three weeks.
It was noted that Aberdeen, with a population of about 10,000, currently has no tennis or pickleball courts, and the board was enthusiastic and receptive to the idea of more recreational opportunities for the town.
The courts will be built in a low-lying area across from the existing shelter.
According to the official memorandum from Aberdeen Town Manager Paul Sabiston, the project cost is estimated between $72,000 and $78,000, covering grading, asphalt paving, striping, nets, and fencing. Paving alone is expected to cost about $46,765, with higher fencing planned along the creek side to prevent balls from entering the water.
An engineer’s review indicated the site should withstand potential flooding similar to the recent flooding seen during Tropical Storm Chantal; future floodwaters would reportedly pool temporarily before receding without significant damage.
Funding will come from higher-than-expected sales tax receipts this fiscal year, including reimbursements for prior years, with contingency funds of $153,000 available if needed.
“It’s got a lot of good things going for it,” said Sabiston in reference to the location already having restrooms and other amenities available, making it an ideal location.
The town’s contractor, already on site for recent parking lot repairs, is prepared to begin grading and paving in the very near future, weather permitting.
Town requests CVB grant for upcoming Aberdeen Station auditorium
Having been approved unanimously, the Town of Aberdeen will be applying for a $285,000 grant from the Moore County Convention and Visitors Bureau’s (CVB) One Time Project Fund to help renovate the historic auditorium at the former Aberdeen Elementary School.
The town purchased the 16-acre school property in 2021, including the gymnasium and auditorium, which is now part of the planned “Aberdeen Station” redevelopment. The project has previously been described as a blend of affordable housing, retail spaces, and community-oriented areas.
The proposal comes after Sabiston said the project meets the CVB’s requirement that funded improvements attract out-of-town visitors who may stay in local hotels and explore the area. The auditorium would boast a seating capacity of around 900 and would draw in visitors with a variety of artistic performances.
“The Aberdeen Auditorium is unique because of its large seating capacity of 900 seats and its unique charm and antique setting,” writes Sabiston in his proposal. “This historical setting will attract many fans from outside of our 50-mile radius for a variety of artistic performances. The goal is to schedule an annual season of varied attractions from dramatic performances, various musical offerings, lectures, and other events.”
Planned upgrades include roof repairs, HVAC replacement, interior renovations, a new sound system, stage equipment and other improvements to make the facility suitable for performances.
“This is one of the few auditoriums in the county with that kind of capacity,” Sabiston told the board. “Once we do some rehabilitation, we can easily bring people from out of town … and that’s been our goal from the beginning.”
Board members commented on the scarcity of comparable venues in the area and expressed support for the project.
The targeted audiences will be from “nearby large communities that will drive to the area for a performance, dinner and to spend the night and enjoy the area.” The town plans to offer package deals where customers may enjoy a performance one night and then play golf, shop, or visit another local attraction the following day.
“That is a sleeping giant sitting there,” said Aberdeen Mayor Robert A. Farrell, who spoke favorably of both the grant proposal and Aberdeen Station as a whole.
If awarded, the funds would match the town’s contribution, allowing renovations to proceed on schedule.
Development and annexation
The board unanimously agreed to schedule a public hearing later this month on a proposed zoning change that would allow construction of 76 attached single-family homes on Keyser Street, and separately voted to move forward with reviewing a petition to annex 35.5 acres south of Legacy Lakes.
The Keyser Street project, submitted by DGH Management LLC, seeks to rezone roughly 7.25 acres from R-10 residential to neighborhood commercial conditional zoning. The proposed density is 10.49 units per acre, below the district maximum of 12 units per acre but higher than the current zoning’s limit of six units per acre.
Though they have not yet seen renders or design plans, the board expects the buildings to be two stories with single-car garages, similar in style to other recent developments in the area.
The board agreed to move forward with the plan and set a public hearing for Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. at Town Hall. Board members noted that both a required community input meeting and the Planning Board hearing drew little public attendance, though they expect residents to participate in the upcoming hearing.
In a separate action, the board unanimously approved Resolution 25-16, directing the town clerk to investigate the sufficiency of a petition for contiguous annexation submitted by KoontzJones Design on behalf of McKee Homes.
The 35.5-acre parcel, located on the east side of U.S. Highway 15-501 just south of Legacy Lakes, is currently in the county’s jurisdiction but not within Aberdeen’s ETJ. If approved, the annexation would extend Aberdeen’s town limits farther south along U.S. 15-501.
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~ Article and photo by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
