Expanding recreation can pay off for Westminster

The importance of a comprehensive recreation program was stressed during today’s meeting of the Westminster Rotary Club—by both the speaker and by a member of the audience who has seen its benefits.  The speaker, Mayor Brian Ramey, said he’s anxious to get hold of a plan by Clemson students who studied the possibilities for adding softball and baseball fields to a 12-acre area behind the West-Oak Middle school.  Ramey says the idea of building four fields would mean that his city could then expand its role as a host of tournaments that bring visitors and their spending money to town.  Ramey’s comments were endorsed by an audience member who said Chesterfield County, Virginia attracted so some many visitors that it created the need to build a motel.  And the first-term mayor said he’d like to see such a repeat in his city.  Ramey added a personal note about the benefits of involving kids in recreation.  For a potential at risk-child, wholesome athletics can steer kids away from trouble.  It isn’t just children that the mayor envisions taking advantage of expanded recreation offerings.  One of the new mayor’s goals is to accomplish the re-opening of the municipal swimming pool and devoting parts of the swimming to adults whose paid fees would help stabilize swimming pool operations.