A proposal by the Lincoln County-Brookhaven Multi-Use BuildingCommission would add a seven-field baseball complex and allow forovernight stays at the facility.

The expansion would be located on approximately 38.5 acres ofundeveloped land behind the building already owned by the county onBeltline Road. The expansion would augment existing recreationalopportunities available at the nearby city-operated Hansel KingSportsplex.

“In no way would this detract or take away from what we alreadyhave there. It’s designed to complement what’s there,” said BoardMember Dr. William Kimble.

Board members have been debating a project that would add 30-35RV hookups for overnight stays at the facility. The overnightcamping spots would be located in the northwest corner of theproperty across the rear parking lot from the main building.

However, when a citizen suggested the baseball complex, thecommission decided to combine the two into one prospective project,Kimble said.

“The commission feels that these two items are the best use ofthat undeveloped property,” Kimble said. “We couldn’t think ofanother use for that land that could potentially serve the citizensbetter. We feel very comfortable with this project.”

The initial plan for the baseball complex calls for sevenbaseball fields – four fields of 185 feet, two fields of 200 feetand one of 300 feet – and parking for approximately 340vehicles.

The fields would predominantly be on the east, or rear, side ofthe existing buildings and adjacent to the Hansel King Sportsplex,which is operated by the Brookhaven Recreation Department.

The two sports complex would not be in competition with oneanother, Kimble said.

“Actually, they should complement one another,” Kimble said.”You’re really catering to two different groups when you’re talkingabout baseball and softball.”

While there are several baseball fields in Brookhaven, Kimblesaid, they are scattered. That makes it difficult to promote forstate-level tournaments.

In addition, he said locating the baseball fields next to thesoftball fields will make it much more convenient for parents andrelatives to attend their loved ones’ games.

The commission approached county supervisors about the planearlier this week.

Supervisors passed a resolution Monday showing they were infavor of the proposal, but the motion did not place any obligationson the county. The resolution does, however, enable the commissionto begin seeking potential sources of funding for the project.

The total cost of the project has not been calculated, butKimble estimated it would take approximately $1 million in outsidefunding from state and federal grants, with most of the local shareof funding being made through “in kind” work. “In kind” work oftenincludes preparing the site for construction and other taskscommonly performed by county work crews.

“We haven’t got that far yet,” Kimble said. “We just got theendorsement of the supervisors. Now we feel confident in proceedingto secure potential funding sources.”

It will take no less than three to four years to secure thefunding and construct the park, he said.

The commission was formed in June when the county purchased thecity’s half of the property in an agreement to improve themanagement of the facility. Supervisors and city aldermen felt thecomplex would be better run under a single government entity.

Supervisors have expressed their desire to that facility, whichhas lost money every year since it was built, become aself-sustaining entity requiring minimal county funding. The boardformed the commission to oversee the transition and to operate thefacility.

Since that time, the commission has received several complaintsabout conditions at the facility and has made several improvementsthere. However, Kimble admits more needs to be done.

“We inherited a lot of problems and we’re working on them,”Kimble said. “But we’re also looking to the future.”