June 2025 Council Highlights

• On June 10th, the City of Sumter officially cut the ribbon on the newly renovated South Sumter Park!
• Located on 630 S Sumter Street, upgrades to this park include:
  • Basketball courts in a new “airnasium”
  • Fenced pickleball courts
  • Updated playgrounds
  • Pavilion with restrooms
  • Walking trail, improved parking, and landscaping
  • Renovated baseball field & picnic areas

Thanks to our SC Legislative team and community partners for their unwavering support.

For more information, visit sumtersc.gov

• Construction for phase two of the Tuskegee Monument is underway!
  • This second phase will include a life-size bronze sculpture of a Tuskegee Airman
  • Also being constructed are story walls that highlight the contributions of South Carolina residents who served in various Tuskegee units.
  • These new additions will sit alongside the P-51 Red Tail full-scale replica at Veterans Park, adjacent to Shaw Air Force Base

• Hurricane season officially began on June 1;
  • Stay prepared all season long with the 2025 South Carolina Hurricane Guide
  • This online booklet and other useful tools can be found at hurricane.sc
  • Remember that early preparation can make all the difference in staying safe.

• We are pleased to announce the upcoming expansion of Water Plant 5, located right off of Wesmark Blvd.
  • This is a major City of Sumter infrastructure improvement project set to be completed by mid-2027.
  • This project will enhance water supply reliability and capacity for our entire community.
  • While brief service interruptions or temporary discoloration may occur, please be assured that we are committed to minimizing disruptions and maintaining the highest standards of safety and efficiency for all customers.
  • We greatly appreciate your patience and cooperation as we invest in strengthening our community's infrastructure.
  • Should you have any questions or concerns please contact our Public Services Department at (803) 436-2558.

• What a good time we had at this year’s Sumter Iris Festival!
  • With record-breaking attendance, it was a weekend to remember.
  • A huge thank-you to everyone who came out and helped make the magic happen!

• Recently, Sumter native Sister Heath Wimberly was awarded the Order of the Palmetto by SC House Speaker Murrell Smith.
  • As an original founder of the Friends of Swan Lake Gardens, Sister has been a steadfast pillar of the Sumter community, dedicating herself wholeheartedly to the beauty and growth of Swan Lake.
  • As a permanent recognition of her impact, we also announced the upcoming renovations to the Swan Lake playground and children’s area, which will be renamed the Sister Wimberly Playground.
    • This space will continue to inspire and bring joy to future generations—just as Sister has inspired us all.

• We’re continuing to remind our city roll cart customers to place their Handles toward the House!
  • Because of our new side-loading trucks, we have changed the way roll carts need to be placed.
  • If you have one of our new cans or an older one, your handle goes towards the house.
  • When in Doubt, Remember: #HandlesTowardTheHouse

• Last Friday, the Sumter Opera House held its final performance before temporarily closing for renovations.
  • This temporary closure is so the historic venue can undergo a major $15 million renovation project.
  • This expansion will provide a larger lobby, additional backstage areas, and improved dressing rooms, addressing the needs of modern performances and accommodating larger audiences.
  • Structural upgrades and roof repairs will also be made during this time.

• The next Fourth Friday Concert Series event will take place on July 25th
  • Taking place from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM at 141 N Main Street, in front of the Sumter County Courthouse.
  • This FREE event features live music by United Sound Entertainment, along with food trucks, cold beverages from Sertoma, and free books for kids courtesy of the Palmetto Optimist Club.
  • Bring your chairs (no coolers, please) and enjoy a lively evening in downtown Sumter.
  • Can't make it in June? We have other awesome concerts lined up on July 25, August 22, and September 26.

• For all of our Sumter tennis fans, the Philip L. Edwards Tennis Complex at the Palmetto Tennis Center is officially open for play!
  • This state-of-the-art facility, featuring authentic German red clay courts designed to meet international standards, offers players a unique and high-quality experience.
  • Court fees are structured
  • For more information or to reserve your court, please visit sumtertennis.com or contact us at (803) 774-3969.

• For lots more events and activities in Sumter visit lovesumter.com.

   

• We invite you to visit and attend a regular City Council meeting, our meetings are typically held on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Please note that there will be no meeting on the first Tuesday of July. The next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, July 15th at 5:30 PM. If you can’t make a meeting, public comments may also be submitted online anytime through our website at sumtersc.gov/council/meetings or city residents can contact the Mayor or their Council representative any time before any meeting to discuss a concern or idea.