LANDIS — The grand opening of Lake Corriher Wilderness Area was the talk of the town at Monday’s Board of Aldermen meeting.

Town Manager Reed Linn said he wanted to give a “word of thanks” to the staff and volunteers who made the opening run smoothly.

“To you, Mike, our mayor, for cooking all afternoon. We appreciate that,” Reed said while fellow board members nodded in agreement. “I think our staff and volunteers did a tremendous job.”

Reed said that based on a head count, about 450 people attended the grand opening, which was from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Lake Corriher Wilderness Area is a 98-acre outdoor space with two lakes — Lake Corriher and Landis Lake — and a number of recreational offerings, including fishing, hiking and camping.

The park has existed for about a decade but was updated in the past several years to include more offerings like kayaking and disc golf.

It also now has two cabins — one of which is accessible to the disabled — and a public restroom.

“It went over very well,” Reed said. “We had a lot of good compliments. So it’s a park that you all can be very proud of.”

Public Works Director Ron Miller and Police Chief Kenny Isenhour also thanked everyone who participated in the park opening.

“It was a very successful day,” Miller said.

“The thing that impressed me, I saw a lot of children at that park. And they were having a good time and there were things for them to do,” Isenhour said. “I believe over the years, this lake will continue to grow in terms of people’s appreciation for it.”

Mayor Mike Mahaley, Mayor Pro Tem Tommy Garver, and Aldermen Bobby Brown and Seth Moore also thanked staff members and community residents for coming to Saturday’s opening.

“I’ve heard nothing but praise,” Moore said.

“I’m hoping people of Landis use it and get the full benefit out of it,” Brown said.

“I really had a good time. The park was great. I’ve never been around some of it, but I got to see it Saturday,” Garver said.

“I don’t see how it could have been any better,” Mahaley said.

Lake Corriher Wilderness Area is at 265 Tranquil Lake Drive in China Grove and is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Sept. 30.

Other items on Monday’s agenda included:

• The board received an update on “concerns” about changes to the animal ordinance.

Planning and Development Administrator Brandon Linn presented the updated ordinance at the board’s March 5 meeting. The board unanimously approved the update.

“Since then, we have had some concerns in reference to the chickens,” Brandon said Monday.

Brandon did not specify what those concerns are but said he has been in contact with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture about them.

Brandon asked that the board bring up the subject again at its June meeting to explore changing some wording in the ordinance.

• The board awarded a contract for water distribution system improvements to Herrin Industrial Inc.

Town Engineer Mike Acquesta recommended the board award the contract to Herrin after Acquesta negotiated the price down to $765,315.55.

Reed said that is under budget.

The water distribution system is along North Main Street and Mount Moriah Church Road.

Herrin Industrial is based in Mount Pleasant.

• The board received a preliminary draft of the 2018-19 town budget.

Board members will review the budget and have their next budget workshop at 5:15 p.m. May 30 at Town Hall.

Budget workshops are open to the public.

The board has to approve the budget by June 30.

Contact reporter Jessica Coates at 704-797-4222.