July 2023 Council Highlights

  • On Thursday, join us as we meet to discuss the Connect 378 project. Connect 378 is a feasibility study looking at ways to improve safety for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists along US 378, from Camden Highway to N. Main Street. The meeting will be held at the North HOPE Center from 5-7 PM. All Sumter residents are invited to attend. Find out more at com.
    • While you are online, head on over to the Sumter Area Transportation Study to sumtersc.gov/SUATS to complete the Sumter 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan. These two efforts are great reminders of how the public can contribute to the future development of the Sumter community, so please do not pass up your chance to contribute.
  • Shot Pouch Greenway is getting some upgrades in areas where the trail has existed for years. Specifically, the boardwalk along the Shot Pouch Creek, between Broad Street and Miller Road is getting replaced with materials that are more wetlands friendly. In addition, you will start to see some extensions to the trail in areas that will connect to area neighborhoods. For more info on the Shot Pouch Greenway, please visit shotpouchgreenway.com.
  • The redesign and repaving of the city parking lot at Hampton and Harvin Streets is near completion, with parking opening this week. Some additional smaller finishes around the parameter will continue over the next few weeks. The redesign was necessary to improve drainage, and layout and increase the number of spaces, while also moving utilities underground to assist with aesthetics as well as safety and security, especially during storms. This parking lot is a free public parking lot in Downtown Sumter.
  • The City, working with Duke Energy has installed two new EV Charging Station in the Sumter Opera House Parking lot. This location is a DC fast charger and is part of Duke Energy’s Park & Plug program that allows fast pull-up and charge stations for Electric Vehicles. A ribbon cutting will be held on August 1st.
    • The Sumter community has seven other charging stations through a Black River Cooperative program at these locations:
      • Candlewood Suites, 2541 Broad St
      • Chili's Grill & Bar, 2505 Broad St
      • Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 2490 Broad St
      • SpringHill Suites by Marriot, 2645 Broad St
      • TownePlace Suites by Marriott Sumter, 2515 Broad St
      • Tru by Hilton, 2607 Broad St
      • Willie Sue's Restaurant, 3355 Patriot Pkwy
  • Sumter's Back to School Bash to celebrate the upcoming school year is back from 10 AM until 12 Noon on Wednesday, July 26 at the Birnie HOPE Center park, located at 210 S. Purdy Street. The event is free and will have music, food, games, and balloon and face-painting artists.
    • A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Birnie HOPE Center Expansion will take place just prior to the Back-to-School event on Tuesday, July 25 at 9:30 AM so the City can officially open the expanded parking lot, green space, and walking trail at the Birnie HOPE Center. This project has been several years in the making and we want to take this time to thank all of our partners for making it happen, including several families for land donations, the neighborhood association for their support, and many others both past and present who helped bring this project to completion.
  • Stay cool in the hot Summer heat by:
    • Through Thursday this week, the City is sponsoring a FREE Basketball Camp daily for boys and girls in 3rd - 12th grades at the South HOPE Center, located at 125 S. Lafayette Drive. Times vary by age: 8:30 - 6:30 PM Call (803) 436-2653 or stop by the South HOPE Center to register.
    • The Sumter Opera House Summer Cinema Series continues, with only two more weeks (ending just before school starts this year). Admission is $2/person and times for each movie start at 10 AM, 1 PM, and 7 PM. Concessions are available for sale, but no outside food or drink. The schedule is:
      • July 25 – Mummies
      • August 1 – Lion King (1994)
  • Play in the water at our Sumter Aquatics Center and Lazy River, located at 1115 South Lafayette Drive. Please visit our website sumterswim.com for our Pool Rules & more information.

Public Swim Hours Through August 5 -

Tuesdays through Saturdays 12 - 5 PM

Sundays 2 - 6 PM

 

Admission Fees - 

Infants (5 years & younger): FREE

General Public (5 years & older): $3

Seniors (65 years & older): $2

  • Play for free in any one of the City’s five Spray Parks.
    • Crosswell Park, corner of Lafayette Drive and Yeadon Street;
    • North HOPE Park, 904 N. Main St.;
    • South Sumter Park, corner of South Sumter and Atlantic Streets;
    • Birnie HOPE Park, 210 S. Purdy St.; and
    • Palmetto Park, off Theatre Drive, between the tennis center and ball fields.

Place your hand on the handprint and see the water flow. All five parks have playgrounds and green spaces for picnics too.

  • Downtown Sumter Fourth Fridays Concerts are underway this year through September. Admission is Free. Concerts start at 6:30 PM and food and beverage will be available for purchase at local restaurants and some additional food trucks to help meet demand. There are children’s activities at each evening too. Bring your blankets and chairs, but no coolers, please.
    • The schedule for bands is:
      • July 28 - Elijah Bradford and the Coffee House Music Revue
      • August 25 - The Footnotes
      • September 22 - Terence Lonon and the Untouchables
    • For those that live on Shaw AFB, remember you have a free shuttle service available to you for the 4th Friday Concerts. The shuttle will pick up at Carolina Skies and the dorms at 6 PM and approximately 8:30 PM, and then drop off in Downtown Sumter. The shuttle will return to Shaw at 8 PM, 10:30 PM and again at 11 PM. This free shuttle is brought to you by the Santee-Wateree Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and the Sumter Visitors Center. This shuttle is open to all active-duty military and families that live on Shaw AFB. All riders must have a current ID with base access.
  • Interested in picking up tennis or reintroducing yourself to the sport? Join us for our Adult Quick Start, a 6-week beginner course focusing on tactical skills and techniques. Get ready to serve, rally, and score! New sessions begin August 16 and there are two-time options to choose from 9 AM or 7 PM on Wednesdays. The cost is $96 and includes six (6) training sessions with a tennis professional and a new Wilson racquet. Contact the Palmetto Tennis Center at 400 Theatre Drive or call (803) 774-3969.
  • Our August regularly scheduled Council meetings will be on Tuesday, August 1st at 1 PM and Tuesday, August 15th at 5:30 PM. If you can’t make a meeting public comments may also be submitted online anytime through our website at www.sumtersc.gov/council/meetings, or city residents can contact the Mayor or their Council Representative any time prior to any meeting to discuss a concern or idea.