The Robbins Board of Commissioners voted Thursday to delay accepting a $75,000 grant for a planned accessible playground, opting to wait for a finalized price tag that includes site preparation before moving forward.
Town Manager Clint Mack informed the board that the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) awarded the town $75,000 through its One-Time Project Fund. The town had originally requested $100,000 to assist with the construction of the Ellie Jean Play Park.
Over the course of the meeting, commissioners considered the growing importance of ADA-accessible facilities.
“Over 40 families in Robbins have children categorized as handicapped or disabled,” cited Mack. “ADA accessible facilities are a growing [tourism] market that’s worth over 58 billion dollars nationally. Communities are aiming to be inclusive. Investing in accessible play isn’t just a playground; it’s a foundation to growth, cohesion, and tourism appeal.”
While the grant would greatly offset the cost of the project—estimated at roughly $200,000 for equipment—board members expressed concern regarding the lack of a firm figure for the necessary grading and paving of the parking lot. They want to avoid committing to the grant without fully understanding the total financial obligation, fearing that costs could escalate beyond the current estimate.
Commissioner Nikki Bradshaw argued against accepting the funds until the board could review a transparent figure that encompassed the entire scope of work, not just the playground equipment.
“At the end of the project, we don’t want them to come back and say that it was actually $300,000 because there were things not put in the original,” cautioned Bradshaw. “Let’s include everything so that we’re transparent with what we’re looking to spend. It’s over $99,000 so we have to be transparent. That’s why I’m asking for that information, so that it’s clear what we expect to be spending in total.”
Bradshaw clarified that she isn’t against the project and only wants to see an accurate estimate, adding, “I’m not looking for the number that says it’s a dealbreaker; what I’m looking for is just a transparent figure.”
Mack, however, did advise the board that the project is time-sensitive. He noted that the town’s Public Works staff could handle the grading internally and that a local vendor had offered favorable pricing for paving. He estimated paving costs could be between $2,500 and $5,000, which the town could absorb through its current budget or the upcoming fiscal year allocation.
Mack also warned that equipment prices are expected to rise after Jan. 1.
“Most vendors we’ve dealt with lately are calling that after Jan. 1 prices are negotiable,” Mack said. “I’m worried that if we stall on this, that we are going against our good-faith efforts to do this. … We will try to come in under budget one way or another.”
The town currently has approximately $42,000 to $45,000 in donations specifically designated for the Ellie Jean Play Park project. To utilize the CVB grant, the town must match the funds and complete the project before receiving reimbursement.
Commissioner Kevin Stewart initially made a motion to accept the grant and begin construction. However, following Bradshaw’s concerns, Commissioner Brandon Phillips suggested tabling the matter.
Phillips proposed that Mack gather a comprehensive total price for the park, including all site work, and call a special meeting in the coming weeks to hold a vote before the end of the year. The board voted unanimously to approve that motion.
During the public comment period, resident Lance Mauldin, who serves on the town’s planning board, urged the commissioners to ensure the administrative process does not derail the project. Mauldin identified himself as a parent of an adopted child with special needs.
“As of two years ago, I had no idea what special needs were—very limited information,” said Mauldin. “But now, as a parent who has adopted a kid who has special needs, I would just graciously ask, please do not let concrete get in the way of making that project happen. Sometimes we have to travel quite a bit of ways to equipment that can handle our special needs kid.”
The board agreed to table the discussion until they could view a full figure of the cost.
“It might be easier just to table this motion for the moment, and I follow Commissioner Phillips’ suggestion that we find that information out,” said Mayor Cameron Dockery, who added that he himself grew up with a special needs sister and understands the importance of the Ellie Jean Project. “I know where this family’s coming from. I raised my sister. I know about not having a place you can take your children because she was my sister, and so I’m sorry, it’s really a soft spot for my heart. For this, out of respect for the family, I want to help them out. So I would suggest that we table this until we get the information. Call everybody we know, and I’ll confirm those figures and talk to who I talked to and [see if they are] ready to move forward for that price.”
Abegail Murphy | Assistant Editor
Article by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
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