The Whispering Pines Village Council voted Wednesday to approve a conditional rezoning for a new fitness facility within the village’s ETJ.
The request, brought forth by Whispering Pines resident Kenneth Rigsby, involved a proposed 12,000-square-foot facility intended to house a branch of North Carolina Wrestling Factory, a nonprofit youth wrestling organization. The proposed location is Rigsby’s property, located at the corner of Rays Bridge Road and Eureka Church Road within the Whispering Pines ETJ.
According to testimony presented during the hearing, the facility is intended primarily for youth-oriented indoor recreation and fitness activities, with a focus on wrestling training and related athletic programs.
The permit allows the recreational use of the property but does not authorize an event venue or unrelated commercial use.
Before opening public comments, the council confirmed that the application was complete, that fees were paid, and that adjacent property owners were properly notified.
Because special use permits are quasi-judicial, the hearing was conducted under sworn testimony and due process rules. Several Whispering Pines homeowners attended as proponents of the plan and spoke favorably of the benefits to young wrestlers in the area.
“It would be fantastic to have a wrestling facility right here in our community, and Whispering Pines is a powerhouse for it,” said one speaker. “We might as well have a place where our kids can train that’s close by. We have kids traveling up to Raleigh and stuff to get training in wrestling, which is ridiculous when they’re young and they need to be in bed at a certain time. It would be phenomenal to have that right here in our community.”
Speakers, including Rigsby, also touched on the North Carolina Wrestling Factory’s scholarship program, which provides financial assistance to graduating student-athletes. More than $25,000 in scholarships have been awarded to participants over the years, helping cover college tuition and trade school expenses.
“We’re investing in your community, and we’re investing in your children,” said Barry Hull, president of North Carolina Wrestling Factory. “At this point, we’ve had over a thousand youth walk through our doors. Over 200 have been from Whispering Pines or [nearby]. So, I think you’re getting something out of it directly there. We’ve given over $25,000 in scholarships as far as doors have been open. We are 100% non-profit. There are no paid positions.”
Hull also confirmed that the program generally runs after school hours and in the evening, with occasional weekend activities.
No written or verbal opposition was presented during the hearing. Multiple speakers voiced support, citing youth athletics, community benefit, and compatibility with surrounding uses, which include nearby Eureka Presbyterian Church and Farm Life Elementary School.
Council members reviewed the required standards and found that the proposed use would comply with zoning regulations, would not endanger public health or safety, would not negatively affect nearby properties, and would not impede orderly development.
Before deciding, the board addressed potential issues with stormwater drainage—an ongoing issue in Moore County—but Rigsby confirmed he has ponds on his property and measures in place for proper stormwater mitigation, so there would be no impact to surrounding properties.
The permit was unanimously approved with the understanding that the facility will operate as a recreational and fitness use, not as a general event venue, and that traffic, lighting and buffering will be managed to minimize impacts to nearby properties.
Abegail Murphy | Assistant Editor
Article by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
Feature photo via Canva Stock Gallery.
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