By Tracy Sanders, Co-Editor | tracy@thewoodrufftimes.com
Athletic Complex logo rests in the sand,
marking the start of construction during the
groundbreaking ceremony. (photo by
Tracy Sanders)
WOODRUFF, S.C. – Under gray skies but with bright optimism, city and state leaders, educators, and community members gathered Friday to break ground on two transformational projects for the City of Woodruff, Libertas Academy and the Riverbend Athletic Complex.
The event opened with a heartfelt prayer by City Chaplain Derrick Scurry, who blessed both the new charter school and the athletic complex as places where students and families will grow, learn, and find joy.
City Manager Lee Bailey, who led the ceremony, described the day as “the commencing of dreams, hope, and opportunity,” reflecting on how quickly the projects came together. “When we put these shovels in the ground,” Bailey said, “we’re building memories and we’re providing opportunities for the future people and the current people in Woodruff.”
Celina Patton, School Director for Libertas Academy Woodruff, announced the school is scheduled to open in August 2026. The tuition-free public charter school, authorized by the Charter Institute at Erskine, will emphasize “excellent academics, strong character, and a safe, joyful environment”, values she calls the Libertas Way.
“Our mission is to develop the next generation of American citizens, curious, capable, and full of strong character,” Patton said. “We believe families deserve great public school options close to home, and teachers deserve the tools to do some of their life’s best work.”
Cameron Runyan, CEO and Superintendent of the Charter Institute at Erskine, praised Patton’s leadership and the community’s overwhelming support. “This is really, really special, having done this for eight years now, to see a local community come together with the level of support that the town of Woodruff has put behind this school.” Runyan said. “… every child deserves the chance to reach their full God-given potential.”
State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver tied the groundbreaking to a broader vision for South Carolina’s educational future. “Education is truly the foundation of our entire society,” she said. “What’s happening here in Woodruff represents hope and opportunity.”
Weaver noted that the partnership between Libertas Academy and the Riverbend Athletic Complex symbolizes three pillars of student success: strong bodies, strong minds, and strong hearts.
“… as we look at the anger and the chaos in the world around us today, we have never more needed people of heart, of character, of kindness, of compassion, who understand that our differences aren’t what matter, it’s what unites us that matters.” Weaver said.
Woodruff Mayor Kenneth Gist called the day a special moment for both current citizens and future generations. He thanked Spartanburg County Parks and Recreation for partnering on the Riverbend Athletic Complex, which will include four full-sized turf fields for baseball, softball, soccer, and flag football, as well as walking trails, pickleball courts, a dog park, and a boat launch.
“This complex will open in 2027,” Gist said. It’s not just a park… it’s an economic driver, a community builder, and a source of pride.
Allen Smith, President and CEO of OneSpartanburg, Inc., spoke about Woodruff’s role in Spartanburg County’s rapid growth. “We’re the second fastest-growing county in South Carolina,” Smith said.
He called the Riverbend project “an investment, not an expense,” predicting it will pay for itself hundreds of times over through tourism, local business, and quality of life.
“So if somebody asks me,…what in the world happened in Woodruff from 2020 to 2030? … I’m going to say leadership happened.”
Bailey closed the ceremony by thanking the project’s design and development partners, including Goodwyn Mills Cawood, TrueNorth Construction, and Bluewater Civil Design, as well as Spartanburg County Parks and Recreation, which will operate the new complex once construction is complete.
With emotion in his voice, he challenged the crowd to envision what’s next.
“Why not Woodruff?” Bailey asked. “We’re building memories and we’re providing opportunities for the future people and the current people in Woodruff. “
Author: Tracy Sanders
