Nov. 4, 2020 • Volume 9, Issue 11 • Complimentary • HiltonHeadSun.com
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Completion of Celebration park expected in December By Dean Rowland CONTRIBUTOR
The timetable for completion of Lowcountry Celebration Park on the island’s south end has been pushed back to December. The pandemic and weather issues forced supply chain delays from vendors around the country and in Canada, but project construction was minimally affected. “Right now we’re working on substantial completion of the park in the middle of November, but that doesn’t mean that the park will be open,” said Chris Darnell, project manager and staff urban designer for the Town of Hilton Head Island. The town’s design team then will review the completed construction details and report with a punch list to the contractor to resolve any outstanding issues within
one month. A ribbon-cutting ceremony has been scheduled for Dec. 10, Darnell said. Construction of the $14 million project funded by tax increment financing began in June 2019 and was expected to be completed 14 months later. That didn’t happen for obvious, unforeseen reasons. Darnell expects residents and tourists to thoroughly embrace the park once it opens. It will feature state-of-the-art modern amenities with interactive historical, environmental and educational programs and displays, he said, with an emphasis of fun in the playground. “What I would like everybody to understand is that this park is tied to the community and the environment it’s in,” Darnell said. “It’s a planned park, not
Please see CELEBRATION on page 12A
PHOTOS BY LYNNE COPE HUMMELL
Workers from The Greenery continue planting landscaping elements at Celebration Park recently. In the background, sails are visible from the replica of the ship Adventure, the centerpiece of the park’s playground.
Beaufort Memorial opens health care pavilion in Okatie Nov. 2 By Marie McAden CONTRIBUTOR
Beaufort Memorial Hospital (BMH) opened its all-new Okatie Medical Pavilion Nov. 2, providing much-needed health care services in the fast-growing communities of southern Beaufort and
Counselors see increase in student mental health issues 18A
Jasper counties. A medical mall of sorts, the 70,000-square-foot facility features access to more than 30 practices offering high-quality Beaufort Memorial primary and specialty care, along with MUSC Health subspecialty care, a walk-in clinic, outpatient rehabilitation, laboratory
Deep Well’s Santa’s Shop gets new twinkles 22A
and imaging services, a breast health center, memory center, and Beaufort Memorial’s second full-service cancer center in partnership with MUSC Health and Alliance Oncology. “Since we established our first medical office in Bluffton in 2006, we have continued to expand our footprint
Pet rescues cope with pandemic challenges 24A
and add new board-certified providers to meet the critical demand for health care in this booming market,” said BMH President and CEO Russell Baxley. “With our new Okatie Medical Pavilion, area residents will not only
Please see PAVILION on page 14A
Capt. Nemo finds way to Port Royal Sound 28A
Sunny Side Up 3A • Editorial 4A • Noteworthy 30A • Culture 36A • Business 37A • Technology 41A • Health 42A • Wellness 44A • Giving 46A • Faith 47A • Sports 48A • Home 53A