Planning for Horry County’s proposed Rural Civic Center is advancing to a new stage.
At an I&R Sub-committee meeting Tuesday, County leaders reviewed four options for the project’s first phase and voted to move one proposal forward into schematic design.
Phase one envisions an indoor arena, fairground midway, and a covered warm-up facility connected to a 200-stall barn. Future phases are expected to add an expo hall, a National Guard Readiness Center, an emergency response vehicle marshalling area, RV Camping, and both walking and equestrian trails.
The center will be located near Highway 501 and SC-22 in the Conway area, on Hardwick Road.
In addition to being used as a staging area for hurricane response, this new venue will become a destination for events of all types including equestrian events and County Fair, serving residents and visitors alike.