Chili Cookoff, Kayak Kiosk, Infrastructure Improvements Top Belton News

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

As Belton gets ready for the South Carolina State Chili Cookoff Championships, the city is buzzing with other news that will benefit its citizens.

A new kayak/paddle board rental kiosk at the Sen. Mike Gambrell Saluda Access Park is set to open soon at Belton Landing. The kiosk for rentals will be the first of its kind on the Saluda River. A credit card swipe kiosk will allow for rentals of the watercraft.

Belton is also seeing building renovations downtown on the square which is preparing for the May 14 start of Standpipe Sounds concerts. Pickleball courts are set to be ready by mid-Summer, and Belton finished at the top of a list for a nation grant to complete upgrades at Leda Poore Park.

The city is working on $10 million in water infrastructure upgrades, a project that came in 30 percent under budget which will allow for additional updates to the system including replacing old fire hydrants.

New housing is also set for construction in Belton, with 22 new homes ready to start.

Belton Mayor Eleanor Dorn talked about these and other news from the city in this interview with the Anderson Observer.