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As Spindale residents and town officials and Rutherford County residents gathered at the North Slope Skate and Ride Park recently in Spindale, it was a time to celebrate the newest Rutherford Bound project while looking ahead to the next project.
Rutherford Bound is the brainchild of the Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority (RCTDA) and local leaders in Rutherford County and encompasses one county, eight communities with one primary goal -- committed to invest in recreation and tourism recreation.
After the official ceremony to open the skatepark off Main and Mill streets, a group of professional skaters presented a show and bike demo followed by giveaways, and community jam sessions at the Park.
The skatepark project is a destination for skateboarding and biking enthusiasts of all ages and levels while offering a safe space for outdoor recreation in Spindale, said Elizabeth Toney, Administrative Coordinator with RCTDA.
North Slope promises to be a vibrant hub for families and active lifestyles in Rutherford County, said Toney.
Later this month, Rutherford County officials, Ellenboro and county residents will convene on the grounds of the former Ellenboro cotton gin to break ground for the Ellenboro Colfax Park, another Rutherford Bound project.
"We have a lot of things going on with Rutherford Bound," said Don Cason, executive director of RCTDA."From the first day to today, we have funded $25 million in projects," he said.
Already $25 million has been raised for the 12 completed projects across Rutherford County, some of the projects are still in the making with completion dates in the future.
The $25 million includes occupancy tax collections, municipal funding from the various project locations, and numerous other partners who are assisting in the projects. The North Slope Park was funded with at least six other funding partners, said Cason.
Two other Rutherford Bound projects are on the calendar for grand openings later this year or in January -- the Norris Park Disc Park in Rutherfordton and the Legacy Soccer Park off Piney Ridge Road in Spindale.
Earlier this year, in partnership with RCTDA, Duke Energy, RHI Legacy Foundation, NC Trails, NC Division of Water Infrastructure and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission presented citizens and visitors to the county two new Broad River Paddle Trail access parks, one of the latest Rutherford Bound projects.
One park is located at the US Hwy. 221A bridge that crosses over the Broad River in the Cliffside community and the second park is located at the US Hwy. 221 bridge that crosses the Broad River.
Other projects on tap for funding also include the Thermal Belt Rail Trail Enhancements, the Symphony of Rutherford County event space, The Factory in Rutherfordton and others.
Approximately two years ago, RCTDA and local leaders began working to develop a vision for improving qualify of life infrastructure to meet the demands of the new economy and the growing tourism industry.
The Master Plan outlines a bold vision for comment revitalization, streetscape investment and a destination-quality system of greenways, trails and parks.
As the new projects are underway, RCTDA continues its commitment to support the Chimney Rock Raise The Rock and Lake Lure Back to Beautiful projects in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene's devastation to the two tourist destinations. "We're going to do everything we possibly can to help," Cason said. "We are heavily involved in this work to help these cities rebound."
