A presentation will be made Thursday night to Mount Airy officials on a recreation master plan that cost $35,000 to produce.

The plan was made public last month, but Thursday will be the first time it is aired before the city board of commissioners. That will occur during a meeting beginning at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building.

Joel Moulin, senior project manager of the Raleigh consulting firm WK Dickson and Co. Inc., is scheduled to lead the presentation on the comprehensive master plan for the city. The commissioners voted in August 2011 to spend the $35,000 on the document designed to chart Mount Airy’s recreational facility and program needs for the next decade.

The last such study occurred in 2001.

In preparing the latest outlook, consultants used results from a survey of city residents which was included with water bills and a series of focus group meetings in which citizens made suggestions regarding recreational needs.

A 159-page master plan resulted.

Among its highlights are “unmet needs” for more outdoor facilities accommodating activities including baseball, along with indoor venues such as a running/walking track and climbing wall. Indoor facilities for tennis and soccer also are cited.

Proposed improvements to Reeves Community Center, Veterans Memorial Park, Westwood Park and city-owned property on Cherry Street are included in the master plan as well.

Additional recreational opportunities during evening hours is another need identified within its pages, which further cites a need for more resources in the future to meet the specific recreational demands of the city’s aging population.

Mount Airy officials have said that having the updated plan will increase the municipality’s chances of grant funding for recreational facilities.

Other Issues Slated

Also Thursday night, city officials will:

• Vote on the formation of a recycling advisory group aimed at increasing participation in the city’s curbside program launched during the winter;

• Give special recognition to Russell Hiatt and Snow’s Garage as part of an ongoing program to honor older local businesses;

• Receive reports on unpaid real and personal property taxes in the municipality and consider an order of collection for them;

• Conduct a public forum during which citizens may speak on any city government topic;

• Hold a closed session to discuss matters related to economic development and the acquisition of property.

Reach Tom Joyce at 719-1924 or tjoyce@heartlandpublications.com.