It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Lexington County Museum gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Lexington, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available.”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always”
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available. She has great contacts and helped guide us thru the process. We received wonderful service. Thanks!”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them twice, both in emergency situations and they have treated us as if we were their only clients. Within an hour of our first call, we had paperwork completed and a caregiver on the way – and that was a holiday weekend. When the second emergency occurred, we knew exactly who to contact. We truly appreciate everything that Lisa, Melissa and the entire team have done for our family.”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any family living close to him. My sister and I were relived to know he was well taken care of. The caregivers truly care about your loved ones.”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the office staff and caregivers were professional and caring- would definitely recommend if you need care at home-”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource in providing services to our patients!”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I needed to qualify people who could deal with my sister with brain cancer. My sister would throw people in and out of her house; it was crazy. She died on December 5th. Always Best Care sent incredible people. I don't know where they came from, but they had one girl who was the only person my sister never attempted to throw out of the house. I'd never hear one bad word about this woman who was actually pulling double shifts at the end because my sister liked her so much. For some reason, this woman understood my sister and brain cancer. Brain cancer is hard to deal with because people could be pretty mean and abusive and they don't know what they're doing really. My sister was also going blind at the same time. It was not easy. I just wanted to say what wonderful care we received from Always Best Care. It was amazing. They were just coming and being there. My sister was crazy, and she didn't want anybody overnight, until she finally let me have someone come in overnight. On that night, she died. She got to die in her home, which is what I'm trying to do because that too was the most important thing of all. Always Best Care was able to staff at short notice and send really good people. I was impressed, and I would highly recommend them. They would help my sister get to the bathroom. She weighed 70 pounds when she died, but she was still able to walk. She had cancers on both her femurs, and her blood pressure was 80/47. They just helped with everything, like fixing her small meals, fixing coffee, and talking to her if she wanted to talk or not talking to her if she didn't want to talk. They were just very great with their help. My sister had brain cancer and she was belligerent. Always Best Care would find people within their staff. Also, it didn't take them long, I didn't have to wait. We had letters from others saying they don't have staff right now. With Always Best Care, I did it over the phone with a woman who was a Godsend. I think the caregiver was sent almost the first day and was there every day except on the weekend when they sent someone else. That person seemed to work out OK, too, which amazed me. For some reason, these people knew how to appease someone who is really crazy. It was the cancer; it was in my sister's head. You have to be tough-skinned and just realize that this is the disease talking to you and not a person. They were able to do that, and I feel very blessed.”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing.”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and support me daily! We have many calls to work on performance and continue to grow and learn!”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing. Donna O.”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always focused on the care and not a much of processes and forms. I would highly recommend them to all.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Gibson Pond Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Private Property or visit Laurance Corley House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Lexington, SC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Lexington, SC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Lexington, SC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Club used to require certain academy players to choose between playing for LSC or their high schoolLEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW)- Lexington SC is partnering with Fayette County Public Schools to provide inclusive pathways to higher level soccer for every player who partakes in the club’s youth system and high school soccer.The move comes after the club drew criticism over the past year from some in the Central Kentucky soccer community for requiring certain academy players to choose between playing for the LSC academy...
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW)- Lexington SC is partnering with Fayette County Public Schools to provide inclusive pathways to higher level soccer for every player who partakes in the club’s youth system and high school soccer.
The move comes after the club drew criticism over the past year from some in the Central Kentucky soccer community for requiring certain academy players to choose between playing for the LSC academy or high school soccer.
Three pathways forward are being offered by the club which have been in the making since the summer of 2024. June 1 of every year going forward will be the deadline for players to decide on a pathway.
To further provide exposure and support for high school soccer in Fayette County, LSC will be hosting two KHSAA boy’s soccer matches in the club’s stadium this coming fall.
Henry Clay, the defending state champions, will play Paul Laurence Dunbar on August 28.
Lafayette and Frederick Douglass will face off on September 25.
“We strongly believe in the immense benefits of scholastic sports and research supports this,” said Kristian Junker, who is the Director of Athletics at Henry Clay High School. “We are pleased to move forward with this new partnership, which creates a pathway for students to continue playing in their local communities while pursuing high-level development.”
“Over the last year, we’ve spent a lot of time listening to coaches and athletic directors to better understand how we can work together to support these student-athletes,” said Kim Shelton the CEO of LSC. “This partnership isn’t just about development, it’s about making sure players can have the best possible experience, whether that’s competing for their high school, playing at the highest club level, or striving for future collegiate and professional opportunities.”
Dominion Energy is making major changes for anyone who plans to visit the beach at Lake Murray Public Park.Reservations will now be required to visit one of the few ...
Dominion Energy is making major changes for anyone who plans to visit the beach at Lake Murray Public Park.
Reservations will now be required to visit one of the few public beaches in the Columbia area, Dominion Energy officials said Tuesday in a news release. Dominion is the utility that runs the reservoir.
On March 19, Dominion will launch a new online reservation system for those looking to enter the park on the Lexington side of Lake Murray, just beyond the Dreher Shoals Dam, according to the release. All visitors will need to reserve a pass on Dominionenergy.com when the park opens on April 9, officials said. The beach season traditionally runs through Labor Day, which is on Sept. 1 this year.
As a result of the reservation system, the park will no longer accept cash payments at the entry gate, according to the release.
The new system ends the previous first-come, first-served policy, officials said.
Visitors will now be required to purchase their reservation in advance to guarantee entry, according to the release. Reservations can be made for a single-use pass up to three weeks in advance of a planned visit, officials said.
The price for single-use passes remains $5, and the passes will be valid for the entire day, according to the release. In the past Dominion offered season passes for $50 per vehicle, but that no longer appears to be available.
Visitors will not be able to re-use the pass once they leave the park, officials said.
“We know this change will take some getting used to, but in time we hope that families will embrace it when they no longer have to rush out the door early Saturday morning to get a spot or be disappointed when they arrive and the park is already full,” Dominion Energy South Carolina President Keller Kissam said in the release. “We thank everyone for your patience as we implement the changes and trust that it will ultimately create an even better experience when visiting Lake Murray.”
Signs will be placed outside the park to remind visitors of the new policy, according to the release.
In the past, the beach has attracted 100,000 people a year to Lake Murray, according to Dominion.
Officials said that reservations will not be required for Dominion’s other park sites along Lake Murray and Lake Monticello — including the boat launch on the Irmo side of the dam at Lake Murray.
The nearby boat launch is open to the public 24 hours per day, year-round. But don’t try to go swimming there. State law prohibits swimming within 50 feet of boat landings.
There might be temptation because Lake Murray, a nearly 48,000-acre reservoir built in the early 20th century, has fewer public beaches than any of South Carolina’s largest recreational lakes, The State previously reported.
Located in one of South Carolina’s biggest metropolitan areas, Lake Murray has developed almost exclusively as a place for waterfront property owners and boaters to enjoy. Of Lake Murray’s nearly 650 miles of shoreline, 392 miles are privately owned.
“Lake Murray is one of the most beautiful gems in our beloved Palmetto State, and we want everybody to have an opportunity to enjoy it safely and conveniently,” Kissam said. “That’s why we continue to make improvements to the process for visiting our very popular park.”
The State
Noah Feit is a Real Time reporter with The State focused on breaking news, public safety and trending news. The award-winning journalist has worked for multiple newspapers since starting his career in 1999. Support my work with a digital subscription
Riverhounds wrapped up their preseason schedule with a battle that had a regular-season feel, playing to a 0-0 draw at USL Championship newcomers Lexington SC at the team’s new Lexington SC Stadium in Lexington, Ky.The game had its share of ebbs and flows throughout, and scoring chances were scarce for both teams. The hosts seemed to have fresher legs and more of the ball through the opening stages, but the Hounds (4-1-1) responded to the challenge.“I thought we grew into the game,” Bob Lilley, Riverhounds hea...
Riverhounds wrapped up their preseason schedule with a battle that had a regular-season feel, playing to a 0-0 draw at USL Championship newcomers Lexington SC at the team’s new Lexington SC Stadium in Lexington, Ky.
The game had its share of ebbs and flows throughout, and scoring chances were scarce for both teams. The hosts seemed to have fresher legs and more of the ball through the opening stages, but the Hounds (4-1-1) responded to the challenge.
“I thought we grew into the game,” Bob Lilley, Riverhounds head coach, said.
“They had a lot of possession, and we found it difficult to get on the ball the first 20 minutes. We worked hard to get ourselves on more even terms, and we finished the half pretty well. There were not a lot of big chances for either team in the first half, or in the game, for that matter, but both teams had some good spells.”
As the final tune-up for the regular season, a number of the Hounds regulars recorded 90-minute shifts, including captain Danny Griffin, Jackson Walti, Sean Suber and Eric Dick, while many of the other regulars took on a 60- to 75-minute workload.
It was the team’s fourth clean sheet of the exhibition schedule, and the first time Dick logged the full 90 for the shutout. The zero on the board was matched by Lexington goalie Logan Ketterer, who Lilley would have liked to see his team test more.
“The second half, we put a lot of pressure on them. We had some chances blocked in the box and didn’t get a lot of clean looks on their keeper, but we pressed well and got on the ball in their half,” Lilley said.
Lexington did have one excellent chance late, as longtime Louisville City striker — and often Hounds nemesis — Cameron Lancaster got on the end of a cross with 10 minutes remaining, only to head the ball off the bar.
Despite that, Lilley came away from the match pleased to get a result on the road. With the Hounds opening the 2025 season with two straight road matches — the first at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 8 at North Carolina FC — the preseason finale served as a fitting dress rehearsal for the Hounds.
“We left early (Thursday) and trained in Lexington, and our plan is to train at North Carolina next week. We had the Indy trip and Columbus earlier, but now we have our group together, and this is a similar distance (to North Carolina),” Lilley said.
“It was a positive result at this point, but we have a lot to work on. I think we could’ve taken more advantage of opportunities in the final third, but the guys worked hard and, for the most part, defended well.”
(Attached photos courtesy of Tommy Quarles/Lexington SC. Pictured are 1. Goalkeeper Eric Dick; 2. Midfielder Jorge Garcia; and 3. Defender Beto Ydrach)
A two-story red brick building and a handful of other dilapidated structures sit mostly unused along the busy stretch of South Lake Drive that connects downtown Lexington to Interstate 20. Besides the town’s parks department workers who frequent the old water plant, the 3.5 acre plot doesn’t draw much attention.As the town of around 25,000 people has seen its downtown area spring up in the last few years — with a host of new restaurants, breweries and a town-funded amphitheater — officials could set aside funds...
A two-story red brick building and a handful of other dilapidated structures sit mostly unused along the busy stretch of South Lake Drive that connects downtown Lexington to Interstate 20. Besides the town’s parks department workers who frequent the old water plant, the 3.5 acre plot doesn’t draw much attention.
As the town of around 25,000 people has seen its downtown area spring up in the last few years — with a host of new restaurants, breweries and a town-funded amphitheater — officials could set aside funds to turn the property owned by the town into a new park.
While still in the earliest stages, Lexington leaders have circled the plant, which houses some of the town’s parks department staff, as a possible candidate for $5.5 million in renovations paid for by the fees the town collects from developers to fund infrastructure and capital improvement projects. The renovations could include building a park on the property and moving all parks department staff to a new headquarters there.
Before any movement could be officially made at the property, the town council would have to vote to use the impact fee money towards that project. Initial plans for the park were discussed by council in 2020, when the town first enacted the impact fee.
The idea for creating a new park at the space would be two-fold: preserve a historic building by giving it a new use and better connect the town’s existing parks, like Virginia Hylton Park and Gibson Pond Park, to each other.
The property, at 503 S. Lake Drive, was used as a water plant from around the mid-1920s until 2002. The town has owned it for almost a century after a man by the name of H.D. George sold the property to the town for a whopping $5, equivalent to around $88 by today’s standards, in November 1925, according to county property records.
The town could use more than a million times that amount in impact fees to fund the renovations at the space – $1.7 million out of the $2.1 million set aside for the parks and recreation department and $3.8 million of the $9 million set aside for municipal facility upgrades. Other impact fee funds are aimed at being used to improve parking in certain parks and upgrade town facilities.
The funds would tentatively be set aside for use over a five-year period, with money to be used beginning in 2027 through 2029. A town spokesperson told The State that the “vision [for the space] hasn’t been completed in detail.”
The move to revamp the property and transform it into a welcome center for the parks and recreation department comes almost a year after Lexington wrapped up a massive, two-year-long renovation of Virginia Hylton Park – a $9.8 million project that more than doubled the size of the downtown park.
That project was funded, in part, by the town’s impact fees. Council leaders for the municipality of around 25,000 people approved the fee five years ago, tacking on a one-time expense for new commercial and residential developments in order to pay for the infrastructure required to keep the burgeoning town afloat.
The collected money is used as supplemental funding for the town to complete infrastructure projects in three categories: transportation, parks and recreation and municipal facilities. The intention being that the town would be able to fund projects without raising taxes on people who already live in Lexington, as both the county and the town have grown exponentially over the last decade and town officials grapple with solutions for keeping up.
The old water plant sits along the busy road that connects Lexington’s downtown to Interstate 20 – the road saw an average of 23,800 cars each day in 2023, according to state Department of Transportation traffic counts.
The State
Hannah Wade covers Lexington County for The State. She’s a University of South Carolina graduate and previously worked as the food and retail reporter at The Post and Courier Columbia.
The second time was a charm for a national coffee chain looking to have plans approved for a new location in Lexington.The town of Lexington Board of Appearance on Tuesday unanimously approved plans for Dutch Bros. Coffee to establish a location at 5211 Sunset Blvd. The 950-square-foot drive-thru and walk-up location would be constructed in the northeast corner of the parking lot of a Lidl grocery store, along Sunset.Tuesday’s approval came roughly a month after the board had ...
The second time was a charm for a national coffee chain looking to have plans approved for a new location in Lexington.
The town of Lexington Board of Appearance on Tuesday unanimously approved plans for Dutch Bros. Coffee to establish a location at 5211 Sunset Blvd. The 950-square-foot drive-thru and walk-up location would be constructed in the northeast corner of the parking lot of a Lidl grocery store, along Sunset.
Tuesday’s approval came roughly a month after the board had initially denied a plan from Dutch Bros. That denial came after a town staff committee noted in paperwork that it “felt that the design of this building did not adequately incorporate the general physical character of its adjacent neighbors, which are primarily constructed of red or brown brick, tan stucco or tan/brown stone.” The staff also noted in February that the “individual corporate image dominates the overall design of the building,” rather than complementing the architectural styles of nearby properties.
While they denied the coffee shop’s February request, the board of appearance, which hears appeals from town’s staff as to whether proposed projects fit the town’s architectural and appearance standards, invited the company to adjust its plans and resubmit the project.
The second time around, town officials noted in planning documents that the new plans from the coffee company incorporated changes to exterior materials and finishings that were more aesthetically compatible with the neighborhood. The lighting plan for the project also was revised, and the amount of overall signage was reduced.
The new plans also note that a three-foot brick wall and “enhanced landscaping” will be used to buffer the drive-thru restaurant from Sunset Boulevard and neighboring road Tom Corley Place. The appearance board had previously asked for more detail about the materials with which that wall would be constructed.
“I think we kind of went back to the drawing board on the building, tried to match the colors and materials you all were looking for, and hopefully it meets the intent and look you guys would like to see,” said Steven Knudsen, of North Carolina’s Durban Development, who spoke on behalf of the Dutch Bros. project.
Members of the appearance board expressed apprciation for the coffee company’s willingness to make adjustments to its plans.
“You guys made a lot of the changes we requested,” board member Larry Wilund said. “It’s a better looking proposal, and more in line with the appearance board items.”
Dutch Bros. Coffee has nearly 1,000 locations across the U.S., with particularly strong representation in states such as Texas, California, Oregon and elsewhere. The company doesn’t currently have any locations in South Carolina.
The State
Chris Trainor is a retail reporter for The State and has been working for newspapers in South Carolina for more than 20 years, including previous stops at the (Greenwood) Index-Journal and the (Columbia) Free Times. He is the winner of a host of South Carolina Press Association awards, including honors in column writing, government beat reporting, profile writing, food writing, business beat reporting, election coverage, social media and more.
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