LAKE WATEREE, S.C. -- The 20th Force Support Squadron began construction on two brand-new cabins at the Wateree Recreation Area at Lake Wateree, South Carolina.
The new construction was made possible by money saved by volunteer efforts during annual clean-up days. The most recent Beautify Wateree Day was held March 19.
“Over 200 volunteers worked for a total of more than 800 hours to clean the 19-acre recreation area, resulting in savings of approximately $35,000,” said Curt Marshall, 20th FSS Wateree Recreation Area manager. “Those savings create a reinvestment opportunity not just for Wateree, but for other FSS facilities like the Shaw Bowling Center and Outdoor Recreation.”
The new cabins at the recreation area were purchased with a portion of the savings collected over the past few years. As the foundations for the two-story, eight-person cabins have already been laid and the remaining construction materials and appliances have already been delivered, Marshall hopes to have them fully built and available for rent by the end of June.
“The cabins weren’t scheduled to be built until fiscal year 2018,” explained Marshall. “Due to overwhelming demand, the project was moved up two years.”
To generate excitement about the grand opening of the cabins, the 20th FSS is holding a contest to name the new structures.
“We plan to hold the contest over several weeks,” said Marshall. “We will take suggestions for names and put them on Facebook for a public vote. At the end of the contest, the people who submitted the two most popular names will each win a free weekend in the cabin that bears the name they suggested.”
Marshall said the new cabins are ultimately a thank-you gift to members of the Team Shaw community, who have repeatedly helped clean up the expansive property. He emphasized that the volunteers have a pride of ownership in taking care of the area.
“The feedback has been very positive,” said Marshall. “I can’t tell you how thrilled the rest of the staff and myself are.”
Updates on the progress of the construction and the cabin naming contest can be followed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Wateree-Recreation-Area/149607884143.