Rec Plex plans continue

Residents in Winston County have new recreations fields in place as part of a Rec Plex Project started over a year ago.

The Rec Plex on Ivy Avenue is in the first phase of long-term building project set by the city.

"An investment in the Louisville/Winston Rec Plex is an investment in the youth and community for quality of life," said Gerald Mills, Winston County Economic Development Director.

Mills provided an update on the project to the Appalachian Community Learning Project workshop created by the Rensselaerville Institute. The ARC project provided $3,000 in seed money to help get the projec started and get the area cleared.

Working with the city, county and community leaders, the area on Ivy avenue purchased by the city was cleared and soccer goals were place on the property. The area soon became a place for persons to enjoy a few rounds of soccer on a full field.

The group is working toward completion of phase one by adding a recreational area to the community and creating a full plan for usage of the new area. The area has been cleaned with the city maintaining the area with plans underway to complete a full drawing and layout of future soccer fields, walking track and more.

The city along with the WCEDP hope to get the whole community behind the project and plan a time when volunteers can help with the project as well as donate funds and supplies to the project.

"It will take time and money and we need the community's support to complete the proect," said Mills.

The goal of the project is to create an area used by at least 325 children in the community as well as create a site of soccer tournaments and other events from across the state. A community event of soccer playing was held at the area on Nov. 7 with dozens of persons turning out for a fun afternoon.

Mills noted the economic impact the county could gain by hosting such soccer events. He pointed out just like the many baseball tournaments that the community hosts and gains from economically that soccer tournaments could do the same.

"If we get fields in place and a soccer program built up, we could be a great site to host tournaments and fill up our hotels and restaurants," said Mills.

The ARC and Rensselaerville Institute hopes by funding projects such as Rec Plex will help small communities build strategic development activities from a small beginning.

For more information about the Rec Plex project or to donate funds or gifts in kind contact Gerald Mills at 773-3921.