MYRTLE BEACH — There’s a new boat landing coming to the North Myrtle Beach area.

Although work is already under way, Horry County officials hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the new U.S. 17/S.C. 22 boat landing on Wednesday.

It’s located on the Intracoastal Waterway, immediately north of the U.S. 17 and S.C. 22 interchange, according to information from Lisa Bourcier, Horry County spokeswoman. The ramp is expected to be completed at the end of March 2013.

The nearest public boat landings with paved parking are nine miles north and 13 miles south, so this new landing will provide nearby residents with access to the waterway for boating and other water-related activities.

“Tourism is a very important economic engine for us. With that, the boat landing is going to be a great attribute for all the visitors and residents in the area,” said Horry County Councilman Brent Schulz, who worked to get the project up and running.

The $1.5 million project will include a 28-foot wide, two-lane concrete boat ramp on the Intracoastal Waterway and will feature a 200-linear-foot floating dock along the shoreline that will connect to the ramp, according to Bourcier. The parking lot will have 40 parking spaces.

Access to the site will be provided from Kings Road between U.S. 17 and the Myrtle Beach Mall. Sidewalks also will be installed from the parking lot to the boat ramp and floating dock.

Animal care center receives grant to help control feral cat population

The Horry County Animal Care Center has received a $51,060 grant to help control the feral cat population in Conway, according to a press release.

The grant comes from PetSmart Charities and will be used to trap, neuter and return 1,000 free-roaming cats in the 29526 zip code, which is in the Conway area.

This zip code has been identified as the location where the most feral and free-roaming cats are found.

Horry County will begin the program on Dec. 1, the release stated. Under the grant, the animal care center will purchase 35 traps and will work with the residents in that zip code to help identify the location of free-roaming cats.

Open house scheduled for new Carolina Forest rec center

The public is invited to attend an open house for the new Carolina Forest Recreation Center.

It is scheduled for Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. Designated parking is available at Waterbridge clubhouse, and a shuttle service will be provided, according to a press release.

Fireworks, free food and family events will be offered.

The rec center is located at 2254 Carolina Forest Boulevard, in the Myrtle Beach area.

Peter Horry sculpture to be unveiled

Horry County will unveil the sculpture of Brigadier Gen. Peter Horry on Oct. 29, according to a press release.

The unveiling will take place at 2 p.m. in the atrium of the Horry County Government and Justice Center, located at 1301 Second Ave. in Conway.

Horry was a general during the Revolutionary War and is the county’s namesake.

Contact reporter BRAD DICKERSON at 626-0301.