Waccamaw Indian People Break Ground on Permanent Bathhouse with $50,000 from Knight Foundation Fund

The Waccamaw Indian People, collaborating with the Waccamaw Community Foundation (WCF), hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a new, permanent, ADA-compliant bathhouse on Friday, October 3, 2025 at the Waccamaw Indian People Tribal Grounds in Aynor, SC. The ceremony featured the exciting news of a $50,000 grant presentation from the Knight Foundation Fund at WCF, a crucial investment to launch this much-needed facility.

This bathhouse, once completed, will bring a welcome change, replacing the use of rented portable toilets with accessible restrooms, showers, and superior sanitation for thousands of guests each year. It will dramatically improve the experience for attendees of the annual Pauwau, seasonal celebrations, Family Days, and other essential cultural events that sustain the tribe's mission of preservation.

“This bathhouse is a milestone for our people—it speaks to dignity, accessibility, and respect for our elders and all who visit,” said Cheryl Cail, Vice Chief of the Waccamaw Indian People. “The generous support from the Knight Foundation Fund at WCF means we can ensure every single guest can fully and comfortably enjoy our cultural events, regardless of their ability.”

The $50,000 grant helps anchor a major funding effort, which already includes $50,000 in dedicated matching funds from the State of South Carolina. The money will cover foundational construction, specialized ADA-compliant fixtures, and durable finishes. The project anticipates completion within 18 months, a move that will both reduce the tribe’s ongoing rental costs and expand capacity for future events.

“The Waccamaw Community Foundation was established to champion exactly this kind of community-driven, culturally essential project,” said Mike Mancuso, President & CEO of WCF. “By utilizing the Knight Foundation Fund, we are investing beyond basic infrastructure—we are helping preserve a rich history, embody inclusion, and vitalize the civic and cultural heart of our region.”