At the Holly Springs Town Council’s last meeting before its weekend retreat, Kevin Adams, a representative from the town’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, presented budget needs for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. Adams said the town parks system needed $40 million in improved, expanded and additional parks and recreation land and facilities overall, though he specifically asked for a major purchase of land, funding for greenway projects, funding for a combined tennis and swimming facility and planning for an ice facility in the next fiscal year.

“Now is the time to start thinking about what’s going to take place in the next budget season,” Adams said.

Of 15 projects listed in a parks and recreation plan for 2004-2009, 10 projects have not been completed or even started, he said. Such projects included greenway trails, a community pool and completion of Womble Park. Other unfunded requirements he cited were three softball fields, two field hockey fields, two lacrosse fields, two mixed-use fields, a tennis center and more. Land acquisitions needed were for a downtown community center, an educational park and greenway parks, he said.

Adams asked the council for increased commitment and funding to get the parks and recreation program “back on track.”

“No matter where you go in this town, you see many people walking, biking, running,” Adams said. “People are taking advantage of what they have so far. It’s clear we have an active community.”

“It’s something we’re all really cognizant of, the need for all these facilities,” said Councilman Tim Sack, who also said parks and recreation needs would be discussed at length at the council’s retreat. “It’s a very eye-opening list,” said Councilman James Cobb.

Also during the meeting, the council authorized locations for a sidewalk that will travel along Holly Springs Rd., Earp St. and Raleigh St. and approved spending more than $30,000 for engineering stream stabilization options along Green Oaks Pkwy. The council also approved an annexation of .897 acres located off Sunset Lake Rd.

As part of its consent agenda, the council authorized contracts to perform property valuations of the public works and former police station properties and extended an agreement with the state Department of Transportation for the town’s mowing of state road rights of way for $15,147 during the 2010 mowing season.

The council also set a special meeting for March 5-7 at The Carolina Inn in Pinehurst for the purpose of a retreat workshop on growth, development, infrastructure, water supply and policy matters.

The council presented a proclamation designating Girl Scout Week in Holly Springs, as well.