Scannable markers, murals, upgrades coming soon
BY PHILL BARNETT
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Martin County Tourism Board met Monday evening to discuss the ice skating rink for this year’s Christmas in the Mountains festival, renovations to the Historic Martin County Courthouse and other plans.
The downpayment on the ice skating rink has been made, but a location is yet to be determined. The rink will require a large flat spot in Inez.
The board discussed the need for increased personnel that the skating rink creates compared to previous years’ attractions. They will need volunteers to keep it running throughout its three-day rental period. The board will ask the Martin County Kiwanis club to help find teen and young adult volunteers to supervise the rink.
The board discussed whether to charge admission for the skating rink. While several board members approved of charging admission, they agreed that it should be a small fee of just a few dollars.
Renovations to the Historic Courthouse were a hot topic of discussion.
“We could not do this — and you all know that — without ARO,” Chairperson Nita Collier said, announcing the Appalachia Reach Out team will begin stripping and renovating what will become the office spaces, commercial kitchen and general store in the Historic Courthouse.
“ARO will be working the week of the 27th, tearing out and replacing steps on the King Fisher Trail,” added Collier.
The board agreed to remove the historic light posts around the old courthouse and discussed possible new locations for them, including along Main Street in Inez and walking trails.
The planting of edible fruit trees along walking trails in Warfield and Pigeon Roost is mainly finished. A few trees will be planted later in the season.
The board plans to place scannable signs around Martin County at historic locations. When scanned with a person’s smartphone, these signs would take them to a webpage telling them more about the history of that landmark.
The board also discussed murals and determined two or three locations around Inez could house a mural. Collier noted that other counties had received grant funding for murals. The members discussed possible themes and artists to get involved.