ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — For many years, 770 Stilton Rd. was home to Nix Elementary School. Now, it will be home to the new Nix-Stilton Center.
The school building will be renovated with a warming kitchen, two activity rooms, and an event hall. In addition, the facility will have an 8,000-square-foot senior center.
County Council Member Janie Cooper-Smith says this will be a home for the whole community.
“It will have afterschool programs, a sheriff's substation, it will have senior citizens' programs," said Cooper. "It will be an overall community program.”
Tyrone Dash grew up in the neighborhood and attended Nix Elementary School. He says this community center will kickstart change.
“By getting involved and rejuvenating the community, we’re going to restore the way we used to be many years ago,” said Dash. “As a productive community, that’s contributing to the whole county and to the state at large.”
Harry Govain is the president of the Nix Stilton Road Community Improvement Organization. Govain says this is a move in the right direction for the neighborhood.
“Take it to another level ... for the seniors, a long time coming. This community is made up of about 70% of senior citizens," said Govain. So, it’s going to be another step in the right direction. We have many phases for this community, and through the grace of God, it's going to happen.”
The existing basketball courts will also be repaved, and two new courts will be put in alongside a new baseball field.
The $3 million facility is expected to be completed in the summer of 2025.