
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 14, 1995                   TAG: 9502140100
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: PULASKI                                LENGTH: Short

SUPERVISOR CONCERNED ABOUT RECREATION PROGRAMS

Despite a growing financial commitment to Pulaski County recreation programs, the Board of Supervisors still has no activities for young people after age 12.

``I am concerned that there are no organized activities for youths 13 and up. There is no program for them. There is nothing for the older kids to do,'' said Dr. Bruce Fariss, the Ingles District supervisor.

The countywide recreation program started in 1987. Since then, Fariss said, the number of participants has quadrupled. The county budgeted $14,800 for recreation in 1987, $118,940 for the 1993-94 fiscal year, and $139,532 this year.

The Recreation Commission, which oversees the program, works with the towns of Pulaski and Dublin. John Myers is youth sports coordinator for the county volunteer program. Eddie Sutphin heads youth sports for the town of Pulaski.

Last year, the program offered football, baseball, soccer, girls softball, T-ball, basketball, cheerleading, gymnastics, karate and several special activities. More than 3,250 people participated.

Recently, the Board of Supervisors authorized County Administrator Joe Morgan to apply for aid from Virginia Tech's Community Design Assistance Center in designing a community recreation park, to be located in the Newbern-Dublin area. But no construction plans have been made yet.

Fariss said recreational facilities help spur business. The New River Trail State Park, for example, prompted establishment of a bike shop.

by CNB