Nicholtown Center reopens as community cornerstone
April 28, 2026
Nicholtown Center Reopens as Community Cornerstone
City, Neighbors Celebrate $5.5 Million Renovation, Expansion
For generations, the Nicholtown Community Center has been a place where relationships are built, where young people grow, where families gather and where neighbors care for one another. What was once a 5,600-square-foot facility is now a fully renovated and expanded 7,600-square-foot community hub. City, state and neighborhood leaders joined center staff and residents for a ribbon cutting and reopening celebration.
“This $5.5 million investment represents far more than bricks and mortar — it reflects a commitment to equity, access and long-term community well-being,” said District 3 City Council member Ken Gibson, his comments punctuated by children’s laughter on the new playground nearby. “This center means our young people have a safe, welcoming place to learn, grow and simply be themselves,” he added.
The project was funded with $3 million from the State of South Carolina, secured through Rep. Chandra Dillard. The City’s Neighborhood Infrastructure Bond funds contributed $2.2 million. A $100,000 “Big Idea Grant” supported the center’s development as the City’s first Resiliency Hub.
“When Hurricane Helene came the power was out for days. People didn’t have a place to go assemble, to make sure that they could keep phones powered, warm up, or just try to stay safe in the darkness,” said Octavia Jones, the center’s director for the past 27 years.
“With an emergency standby generator and designation as a Resiliency Hub, this center will serve this community not only in times of celebration — but in times of need. As the first facility of its kind in our area, it sets a new standard for how we prepare, protect and support our neighborhoods,” Council member Gibson said.
New additions to the center include a 2,000-square-foot multipurpose room, a 600-square-foot room for classes and small group activities and an executive conference room supporting leadership and collaboration.
“So, we’re still writing the story of the Nicholtown. The neighborhood association is so excited, but we also feel the responsibility to make sure we keep up the good work that has been started to make sure that we have programs that will help the community become better and see us into the next generation,” said Rev. Calvin Hailstock, president of the Nicholtown Neighborhood Association.
A fully-equipped fitness room will promote health and wellness among residents. A dedicated Teen Lounge was made possible with a donation from Bon Secours Wellness Arena. A catering kitchen with a pantry and a covered porch were items requested by residents.
“We hope you like what you’re seeing,” said Rep. Dillard, a fifth-generation resident of Nicholtown. “My only desire was that every generation could get something out of this project from the wee little person to someone seasoned who just wants to sit on the porch. We’ve got it for you.”
A new playground for children and families, a 1/10-mile walking track and outdoor exercise equipment will promote community health and wellness.
“I’m thankful that all of you could make it and don’t let this be your last time,” said County Council member Alan Mitchell, a former neighborhood president. This is why we have all of these things. A lot of this stuff is ideas the committee was hammering out. So, as you walk around the track, don’t get tired, and if you do get tired, stop at one of the stations where you can exercise because we made sure we put that in there too.”
“They get to experience it in a new light,” said Huggins. “Just to know I used to walk through there in the 90s to how high tech it looks now, monitors everywhere, it looks amazing,” Young added.
In closing his remarks Council member Gibson said:
“We do many great things across our city. But it’s investments like this — right here in our neighborhoods — that mean the most to our residents. Because this is where people live. This is where families grow. This is where community happens. When you look at all of this, this is what that kind of continued investment looks like:
It looks like opportunity.
It looks like resilience.
It looks like pride in place.
But most importantly — It looks like people.”
