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Monday, Oct. 13, 2008

Laurens park set to open arena

DUBLIN -- There will soon be more cowboy hats among the ballcaps at the Southern Pines Regional Recreation Complex near Dublin.

Nestled off Interstate 16 just south of town, the complex has become a hot spot for big baseball and softball tournaments. With the latest addition at the park - a $1 million open-air, multiuse arena - it might become a choice site for everything from rodeos to car shows to concerts.

Construction is nearing completion on the Southern Pines Ag and Expo Center, which was built with Laurens County sales tax funds.

The recreation complex pumped an estimated $3.5 million into Laurens County's economy last year, mostly by hosting baseball and softball tournaments, and the arena should help draw even more visitors, said Danny Jones, director of the Dublin-Laurens County Recreation Authority.

"Everybody's worried about the economy, but we expect it's going to be a very big economic engine for the community," Jones said.

The 200-by-300 foot arena is expected to host a variety of events, including animal and livestock shows, bull riding, even lawn mower racing, Jones said.

"It's got a stage area for bands or whatever," he said. "We plan on bringing in portable bleachers for some events. What most folks are doing at these type (facilities) is using lawn chairs most of the time."

The recreation complex was built in 2001, two years after the merger of the Dublin and Laurens County recreation departments.

The county donated the land - 120 acres off U.S. 441 near I-16- while the city pledged $1.2 million of the $2.5 million needed to complete the project's first phase. The county also agreed to do the grading at the site, while the city ran water and sewer at no charge.

Money from a special purpose local option sales tax has paid for most of the complex, which now has 15 baseball and softball fields, five lighted football and soccer fields, a multipurpose fields, a lighted nature trail and picnic and playground areas.

The site is situated ideally for visitors, with a dozen restaurants and almost as many motels within a mile.

The arena hosts its first event Nov. 1 when the Heart of Georgia Horse Association holds a barrel-racing competition there. Donnie Upshaw, the association's president, said the venue is perfect for the group, which includes members from all over the midstate.

"We talked to several other associations interested in renting it," Upshaw said. "I'm thinking it will turn out good."

The original master plan for the recreation complex included a gymnasium and possibly a swimming pool, but Jones said he's not sure what's next.

"Those things haven't been nixed, but they haven't been addressed either," he said.

Right now, recreation officials are focused on putting the final touches on the new arena. Bathroom and electrical fixtures, along with air conditioning in meeting rooms and concession stands, should be installed by the end of this week.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony has been tentatively planned for Nov. 22.

To contact writer Rodney Manley, call 744-4623.