BERMUDA RUN – The proposed Carolina Athletic Performance facility can officially call Bermuda Run home after a 22-acre tract purchased from Twin City Sports received approval for voluntary annexation from the town council.

The property for the 120,000 square-foot mega sports complex, which is at the end of Twin’s Way east of Kinderton Village and west of BB&T Sports Park, was annexed in last Tuesday night’s meeting along with two lots – 105 and 109 Lakeside Crossing – in Kinderton Village.

In addition to approving an ordinance to extend the corporate limits of the town, the council also approved a 10/70 provision by Carolina Athletic Performance allowing 7.87 acres of impervious area on the site for a parking lot with a projected 500 to 600 spaces.

During council comments, several members of the board again praised the addition of the massive complex – which will include eight full-size, indoor basketball courts that can be converted into 16 volleyball courts, along with space for physical therapy, batting cages, nine meeting rooms, a 4,000 square foot multi-purpose room, 10,000 square feet for a rehabilitation facility and other open space, and be located adjacent to the soccer park.

“The whole thing with Carolina Athletic Performance coming here is very exciting, “ said councilman Mike Ernst. “I think that it will become a destination and draw more people into the town in a very positive way. Any time you do those things, that’s a big addition to a town of this size.”

The three requests – the two voluntary annexation requests and the 10/70 provision request from Carolina Athletic Performance – were accompanied by public hearings.

The voluntary annexation of the two lots in Phase 3 of Kinderton Village was a “clean up” from an oversight from an earlier annexation, according to Rollins.

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Also in the March 13 meeting, the town posthumously commended and honored William A. Burnette with a resolution for his exemplary vision that became the reality of Kinderton.

“It is a real honor for me as the mayor of the town of Bermuda Run to recognize the absolute incredible contribution that Bill Burnette made to this town,” Ken Rethmeier said. “His commitment to what he was trying to do and achieve to the benefit of everybody in this community was absolutely steadfast. It is to his credit that the town of Bermuda Run is what it is today.”

Family members of Burnette, the real estate developer for Kinderton who passed away in November 2017 at age 77, were presented a shadow box and key to the city.

Sally McGuire, the oldest daughter, expressed her appreciation to the council for the thoughtful gesture.

“I don’t know how many of you remember the days when this was a big farm and he went through lots of trials and tribulations trying to convince everybody here that this was a good thing and that change is good and what he envisioned for the area would be positive for everybody,” McGuire said. “And I think that has been proven over and over again. This was his crown jewel.”

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In another item, Town Manager Lee Rollins told the council that representatives from the NCDOT, Emergency Management and Highway Patrol were planning to meet at Town Hall last week to discuss the I-40 widening project that will be starting this fall.