By Tina Alvey
LEWISBURG — Recreational projects received financial support from the Greenbrier County Commission with approval of $33,000 for the Meadow River Trail project and $18,000 toward a new wrestling facility for high school and middle school students.
Doug Hylton explained the trail project has been in the planning stages two years. A joint endeavor between Greenbrier and Fayette counties, the trail will follow an abandoned railroad line from Rainelle to Babcock State Park, a 16.7-mile expanse.
�Our goal is to create a hiking-biking trail to connect the two counties,� Hylton said.
The $33,000 appropriated by the governing body Tuesday represents Greenbrier�s half of the matching funds required to draw down a $264,000 grant from the Division of Highways.
Hylton estimated the project will result in 74 jobs, including temporary construction workers.
Brian Miluk, athletic director at Greenbrier East High School, asked the commission to fund the finishing touches on the county�s new wrestling facility, which will provide a home for teams from GEHS and Eastern Greenbrier Middle School. He said around 120 students are involved in the wrestling program at the two schools.
�We just need to put the final nail in the building,� Miluk said, noting the wrestling season is already under way.
The county�s $18,000 will pay for insulation and a ceiling in the building.
Other appropriations approved Tuesday included:
- $20,000 for general operating expenses at CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of the 11th Judicial Circuit.
- $3,000 for heating expenses related to a basketball program for teens being initiated at the Alderson Community Center.
- $500 for the Tri-County Community Garden in Lewisburg.
� E-mail: talvey@register-herald.com
