Donated poles to help light sportsplex facility
Published 5:00 am Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Light poles should be going up on soccer fields at the LawrenceCounty Sportsplex by mid-August, members of the facility’s advisoryboard said.
Denise Weeks, a member of the facility’s association committee,said two local corporations have committed to placing nine woodenlight poles to illuminate one of the fields.
The poles were recently donated by Weyerhaeuser, Mississippi andLouisiana Group, Weeks said.
“Wally Givens of Givens Logging was instrumental in contactingWeyerhaeuser for this donation,” she said.
Kenny Platt, also a committee member, said he was coordinatingwith Southern Pine Electric Power Association, who has volunteeredto erect the poles.
“I’m anticipating about mid-month for us to get that done,” hesaid. “This is a busy time of year for them.”
The light poles will allow play on one of the two soccer fieldsduring the evening.
“They will be the first lights on those fields,” Platt said.
Weeks and Platt said they hope to have both fields lit by thebeginning of the next season.
In other sportsplex news, Monticello Mayor David Nichols saidtown officials hope to begin work soon on a multi-purpose buildingin the center of the facility. The two-story, cut concrete blockbuilding will house a concession stand, press box, bathrooms,office and storage facility.
“We’re expecting approval within the next two weeks on a capitalimprovement loan from the state,” he said.
The building, combined with the existing three softball fieldsand the lighting on the two soccer fields, will make the LawrenceCounty Sportsplex a first-rate facility, he said.
The town is currently advertising for a recreation director tooversee the sportsplex and Atwood Water Park. The director wouldschedule tournaments at the sportsplex, events at the water parkand ensure proper maintenance at both facilities.