One HBCU will have access to potential new athletic facilities after a local donation.
The Orangeburg County School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously this week to transfer ownership of the current Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School campus to Claflin University after the high school relocates to its new campus on Cook Road.
The move will allow Claflin to use the school’s athletic facilities while preserving the site as a community resource, university officials said.
During a presentation to the school board in May, Claflin President Dr. Dwaun Warmack said the university’s primary interest is in the athletic facilities rather than the academic buildings.
“We hope this can be a collaborative effort,” Warmack said. “We want to do it there to preserve that legacy.”
The current Orangeburg-Wilkinson campus on Bruin Drive is expected to become vacant when students move into the new $125.3 million high school, which is projected to be completed later this year.
Warmack said Claflin plans to use the facilities as home venues for its baseball, softball and track programs, which currently lack dedicated fields and locker rooms. The university’s baseball team, for example, currently plays at the city-owned Mirmow Field.
“The facilities would become the home of the intercollegiate softball, baseball and track teams,” Warmack said.
University officials also envision opening the facilities to the public for youth sports camps, athletic tournaments and other community events.
“We want to open it up to have a variety of community events,” Warmack said. “We want to host little league track tournaments that our coaches will lead and sponsor. We want community events around volleyball and the gym, and baseball clinics to be able to go there as well.”
He said the initiative would provide Claflin student-athletes opportunities to earn service hours by mentoring and training local youth.
“That is a piece we really want: to be able to ensure youth have the training and development they need,” Warmack said.
School board members praised the proposal, citing both economic and community benefits.
“I think we have to act fiscally responsible as far as our constituents and taxpayers are concerned,” trustee Dr. William O’Quinn said. “I think they will do a great job taking care of the property.”
O’Quinn noted that the district would avoid the estimated $2.5 million cost of demolishing the campus. He also said Claflin’s plans could generate economic activity by attracting visitors to Orangeburg and creating jobs through future renovation projects.
“We will not have to pay to have it demolished,” O’Quinn said. “I think all of us would hate to see that happen.”
Trustee Ruby Edwards said she was encouraged by the opportunities the facilities could provide for local youth.
Claflin officials have not determined whether existing buildings on the campus will be renovated or demolished. Warmack said an architect serving on the university’s board estimates renovation costs could range from $2.5 million to $10 million, depending on the scope of the project.
