Walton Sun - Sale will put an end to litigation over 30A property
Officials closed the sale of the Boys and Girls Club property on W. County Road 30A on April 1.
The exact selling price has not yet been released. However, sources close to the sale say the price was more than double the $10 million offered by opponents of the club two years ago.
The sale signals the end to the controversy surrounding the site for almost three years.
The 22.3 acres of land is a stone?s throw from the beach on the road?s south side, just west of Butler Elementary School.
The property and $8 million to be used solely for construction of new facilities were donated by the Pennington Foundation.
Groundbreaking for the new facility was initially expected to be held the beginning of 2002 and construction started shortly thereafter with completion in 18 to 24 months.
However, opposition to the club and its location stopped the facility dead in its tracks. Opponents charged the facility would be disruptive to the neighborhood with its ballpark lights, traffic and the ensuing noise and present an environmental impediment to adjoining Topsail park.
Current litigation challenges the non-profit status of not just the local club, but the entire Boys and Girls Club organization.
Supporters of the club countered, however, that opponents were motivated by other elements including social bigotry and greed.
Friday?s sale clears the way for the club to relocate to a new location without further litigation.
Sources close to the sale said the club had identified property near or in the Government and Education Center as the potential new location for the club.
The offer is said to be one of several that the club entertained that came unsolicited.
Officials closed the sale of the Boys and Girls Club property on W. County Road 30A on April 1.
The exact selling price has not yet been released. However, sources close to the sale say the price was more than double the $10 million offered by opponents of the club two years ago.
The sale signals the end to the controversy surrounding the site for almost three years.
The 22.3 acres of land is a stone?s throw from the beach on the road?s south side, just west of Butler Elementary School.
The property and $8 million to be used solely for construction of new facilities were donated by the Pennington Foundation.
Groundbreaking for the new facility was initially expected to be held the beginning of 2002 and construction started shortly thereafter with completion in 18 to 24 months.
However, opposition to the club and its location stopped the facility dead in its tracks. Opponents charged the facility would be disruptive to the neighborhood with its ballpark lights, traffic and the ensuing noise and present an environmental impediment to adjoining Topsail park.
Current litigation challenges the non-profit status of not just the local club, but the entire Boys and Girls Club organization.
Supporters of the club countered, however, that opponents were motivated by other elements including social bigotry and greed.
Friday?s sale clears the way for the club to relocate to a new location without further litigation.
Sources close to the sale said the club had identified property near or in the Government and Education Center as the potential new location for the club.
The offer is said to be one of several that the club entertained that came unsolicited.