Faison approves budget to light soccer field, parking lot

By Ena Sellers

Duplin Journal

FAISON — The Town of Faison Board held their regular monthly meeting on April 3. Matthew Scott, Recreation & Wellness Center director shared that they have started registration for the 2024-25 after school program at the Anne Stroud Taylor Recreation & Wellness Center.

“I’m doing a big push for online registration for after school for next year,” said Scott. “Trying to do away with all the paper and the people coming into the gym and filling out everything. We are doing it all on our phones now.”

They had 20 kids in the program during their first year, which started last September.

“We started a month into school,” said Scott, explaining that many people who desperately needed the program had to find something else, but they are looking to fill all 36 spots for the 2024-25 season.

“My goal is by mid-summer to have that 36 full,” said Scott. “We’ve already had some online registration in the last week.”

Scott shared that the program has been a tremendous success. “Kids don’t want to go home. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen parents pull up and the kids are like, can you come back in 30 or 40 minutes? Which is wonderful,” he said, joking that some parents now know better not to try to pick them up early anymore.

He added that they will be hiring a third teacher for next year and are looking into dividing the kids into three age groups. The cost of the after-school program is $45 per week for children in grades K-6.

Scott shared that the lights for the soccer field at the sports complex have been installed. “Everything’s set where we can flip a switch and the whole place lights up,” he said. “It’s exciting.”

He also provided updates about the spring volleyball and soccer season, which is ending this weekend. He added that registration for the Summer Flag Football League for boys and girls ages 5-14, is open through May 15 with games taking place on Saturdays in the month of June. Scott also shared that registration for summer Basketball for ages 3.5-15 opens May 15 through June 30 with games taking place on Saturdays in August.

The budget to light the soccer field parking lot was approved by the board. Scott explained that it will cost the town $139 a month to have lights come on automatically every night, which will make it safer.

The next town hall meeting will be on May 1.