A dream is that much closer to reality in Madison County.
On Monday, Madison Parks and Recreation held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Hoover Ridge Outdoor Recreation Center project. Once completed, the center will occupy approximately six acres of the more than 181-acre park property and include basketball, tennis and pickleball courts, a new playground with inclusive equipment and a splash pad, as well as a new hockey rink, walking path, shady structures and restrooms. It’s a project that’s been in the works for years.
“I cannot tell you how excited I am for this moment,” recreation coordinator Lindsay Von Herbulis said at the groundbreaking. “A few years ago, when we had the 20th anniversary of the park, we announced this project.”
Von Herbulis said the idea of creating a splash pad first came from Madison County Public Schools Superintendent Anna Graham.
“I thought she was crazy,” Von Herbulis said. “I thought it would never happen, but with her encouragement, we got started.”
Parks and recreation authority board chair Nathan Carter was also skeptical in the beginning.
“A few years ago this was just a dream,” he said. “I don’t know how much confidence I had in this coming true, but I couldn’t be happier for the county of Madison.”
Madison Hockey League Board Member Chris Artale said the groundbreaking marks a momentous occasion.
“We’ve dreamed about this for years and years,” he said, adding that the league is excited to have a new rink included in the project.
Madison Parks and Recreation Director Jerry Carpenter thanked everyone for being present.
“It’s amazing how far we’ve come in the past few years,” he said. “This is an amazing accomplishment and something that will [benefit] our county for generations to come.”
The groundbreaking marks the beginning of Phase 1A of the project which consists of site work including constructing a new access road and parking area, utilities, rough grading and drainage improvements and demolishing the existing volleyball court and silo. The phase was awarded in November to William W. Walls Excavating, Inc. for $767,000. The company was expected to begin work this week.
Fundraising is ongoing for the project. Phase 1B will complete the infrastructure, while Phase 2 will see construction of the playground and splash pad, Phase 3 the hockey rink and Phase 4 the courts and pavilion. Representatives from Culpeper Wellness and the Walton and Ada Thompson Charitable Foundation were at the groundbreaking. Culpeper Wellness has contributed $100,000 to the project while the Thompson Charitable Foundation has awarded a $1.4 million grant for the second phase of the project. Walton and Ada Thompson relocated to Madison County in the 1970s and supported the community through donations to the rescue squad and other local organizations. Thompson nephew Howard Curtis was at the groundbreaking representing his late aunt and uncle.
“You can picture my uncle being here, knowing they played a little part in this,” he said.To donate to the Hoover Ridge Outdoor Recreation Center Project, visit https://www.hooverridge.com/hrorc.html.
