Just in case you haven't heard, there's a brand new family entertainment complex right here in Cherokee County.

Frankly, when rumors first began circulating that such a facility was considering locating here, many locals scoffed at such a notion.

Eight theaters with stadium seating? And bowling? Arcades for young and old alike? A sports bar?

Never. Won't happen. Cherokee County isn't big enough to support such a venture.

Those are some of the same comments made when the Yellow Mall was under construction.

About a year after it opened some of my golfing buddies and I were coming home from a round in Greenville and passed by the mall. The parking lot was filled to capacity.

As we all gazed at the scene, my cousin Larry quipped, "I told you that place would never make it."

Last Friday night as I walked through the entrance to Starplex, I thought about all the naysayers.

Right here in Cherokee County we now have an outstanding facility that provides entertainment opportunities for families, teens and children of all ages.

Eight stadium-seating theaters showing first-run movies, a large concessions area, 16 bowling lanes, numerous arcade games for children and teenagers with separate age appropriate sections, and a sports bar with several wide screen televisions.

My 14-year-old daughter and about nine of her friends met there Friday night in hopes of seeing the movie '23.'

They were not allowed to watch it as they were not old enough. They were disappointed of course, but decided on another one, which they thoroughly enjoyed. Security personnel were obvious, but not intrusive. Employees were friendly and helpful. From these observations, not only is the facility itself top-shelf, but it will be operated in a firstclass manner.

Several months ago I visited the facility for a tour and knew then that this complex was something all of Cherokee County could take pride in.

As I walked around the Starplex on Friday night, I was even more impressed. We are fortunate indeed to be home to one of the finest entertainment facilities in the area. I doubt there's another like it anywhere close.

This is not to say that the Capri Theater and Westlane Bowl, which have provided entertainment for locals for years, are not still viable options. They are and I wish them well in the face of this new stiff competition. Gaffney is also fortunate to have a first-class roller skating facility, which is another good entertainment option.

Others include the various youth sports leagues run by the Cherokee County Recreation Department and YMCA. The city has plans to build a new skateboarding park and is upgrading and adding to its parks system. New playground equipment has been installed and the tennis courts renovated at Thomson Park. Bathrooms have been constructed at the adjacent Park Place.

All in all, the future is bright for recreational opportunities in Cherokee County.

With the new Duke Power nuclear facility permitting process underway and other major industrial announcements rumored to be forthcoming, the economic outlook for this county appears rosy as well.

Limestone College continues to grow and enhance its campus. The Cherokee County branch of Spartanburg Community College is edging closer to opening and will have a beautiful campus upon completion.

About the only thing stirring much controversy around here these days is the 'stadium' and a few other school district related situations.

Blacksburg Town, Gaffney City and Cherokee County councils have pretty much stayed out of the headlines in recent months. We must not be digging hard enough!

Even a proposed rate increase by the Board of Public Works hasn't raised many eyebrows, maybe because it is relatively small and the first one in several years.

Is this the quiet before the storm? Time will tell.

In the meantime, go see a movie, bowl a frame or two or drop a few quarters in an arcade game at the new Starplex. These folks have made quite an investment in Cherokee County. For their sake and ours, I hope it was a wise one.