FORT BRAGG, N.C. – In alignment with the U.S. Army’s People First initiative, Fort Bragg’s Family, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation program added two new features at Smith Lake Recreation Area for Soldiers and Families to enjoy. Fort Bragg held the grand opening of the Smith Lake Outdoor Recreation Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the re-opening of the beach, May 26.
“Smith Lake is back,” said Col. Scott Pence, Fort Bragg Garrison commander, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “It is able to provide a measure of quality of life for Families and Soldiers that they haven’t had for five years.”
In 2016, the dam at Smith Lake was damaged due to Hurricane Matthew. As a result, the beach was closed to undergo repairs and renovations. After five years, the beach’s improvements include an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliance ramp, a snack bar, pavilions, kayaks, bumper boats, and sand volleyball. The repair and renovation project costed approximately $3 million.
“We have now a state-of-the-art ADA access cement pave which brings you from the Outdoor Recreation Center, from the parking lot, right down to the beach access for our [mobility-impaired] personnel and their families,” Pence said.
Along with the reopening of the beach, the Smith Lake Outdoor Recreation Center located in close proximity to Smith Lake, broke ground in 2019 with plans to open its doors the following summer. However, construction efforts were delayed due to a shortage in Cypress wood followed by the COVID-19 pandemic. When the delay was over, the construction project progressed forward adding areas such as a warming kitchen, breakout rooms, and three large conference rooms overlooking the lake.
“It has a top-of-the-line [audio visual system], the ability to bring in catering, 62 parking spaces, and handicap access,” Pence said. “This is something Fort Bragg Families have asked for a while.”
James Day, FMWR Outdoor Recreation Branch chief, adds that the grand opening was an overall success.
“On Memorial Day alone, we had 900 people come visit,” Day said. “Since the grand opening, we estimate about 2,600 people total. We had a couple who has lived in the area since 1960. They came to visit us and said they just wanted to check out the new area.”
Day added that the recreation center and the beach are new additions where Soldiers and Families can gather for social events and create new memories.
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