GRETNA, Va. (January 11, 2023) – The City of Danville has selected Gretna-based Blair Construction to build three new recreational facilities as part of a citywide “Neighborhood Park Network Plan” development initiative.
The construction projects include the multipurpose Riverfront Park that will sit on four acres alongside the Dan River and the White Mill; the Third Avenue Splash Pad in the northern part of Danville; and the Doyle Thomas Splash Pad at the corner of Green and Park in the southern part of Danville. These projects are included in the first phase of a sweeping park initiative envisioned by the City of Danville’s leadership and guided by input from the Danville community.
“Our favorite projects are those that truly impact the communities where we live and work, and you would be hard-pressed to find any venue as impactful as a community park,” said Blair Construction President Tim Clark. “The vision that Danville has created through this sweeping park plan is incredible and will be transformative for the city and Southern Virginia. We are excited to get started and create something truly special that Danville and its neighbors will be proud of for decades to come.”
Danville chose Blair Construction for all three projects through separate bid processes. Headquartered just 30 miles from Danville, Blair plans to break ground on all of the parks in February 2023.
“We are very excited to be starting three major park projects here in Danville,” said Bill Sgrinia, director of parks and recreation for the City of Danville. “The Riverfront Park is designed to be a premier downtown greenspace that will be open to residents and visitors alike. The park will have access to the Dan River, modern and unique play spaces, an urban splash pad and a walkway that extends out into the river. In addition to the Riverfront Park, we are also starting on our first two neighborhood splash pads at Third Avenue and at Doyle Thomas Park. These splash pads will be appropriately sized for neighborhood use and will feature interactive water play.
“We are happy that Blair Construction participated in our competitive bidding process and was chosen as the contractor. Blair has a long history of doing quality work in Danville and the region.”
Riverfront Park will be a sprawling, multi-use venue located near Danville’s Main Street and Memorial Drive between King Memorial Bridge and the Dan River Mills historical site. It will be close to the Danville River District, Danville Riverwalk Trail and Carrington Pavilion, all spaces that regularly host concerts, festivals and other community events. The new park’s outdoor facility will include a number of architectural features and amenities, such as green space, a splash pad, an interactive water fountain, a children’s play area, and various walkways and trails.
Meanwhile, the Third Avenue Splash Pad will be located behind Danville’s Third Avenue Fire Station and serve residents in the northern portion of Danville. The space will boast a capacity of up to 30 users.
Lastly, the Doyle Thomas Splash Pad will be an addition to the existing park, commonly referred to as Green Street Park. This four-acre facility already includes a playground, outdoor basketball court and picnic tables.
Riverfront Park and the two additional splash pads will be the latest community construction projects in a Blair portfolio that includes a wealth of schools, municipal buildings and recreation centers across Virginia. Several of those projects include builds or renovations in Danville, including construction of the city’s Centra Medical Center, Welcome Center and YMCA, and renovations of the Danville Science Center and Museum of Fine Arts & History.
About Blair Construction
Since 1911, Blair Construction has provided skilled craftsmanship and high standards to the construction industry. Today Blair employs the latest in technology and safety equipment while maintaining the values on which the company was built. It is this combination of qualities that has grown Blair into one of the most sought-after contractors in the Blue Ridge region of Virginia and North Carolina. As relationship contractors for over 100 years and counting, Blair Construction seeks to provide clients with construction projects that are high quality and low stress. The proof of its success is in its relationships. Since 2010, Blair has completed more than 500 projects with the majority based on existing client relationships. For more information, visit blair-construction.com or connect with Blair on Facebook @BlairConstructionVA and on LinkedIn.