The Buttahatchee River Sportsplex in Hamilton was dedicated on Saturday, Sept. 20, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony also held at 8:45 a.m. at the new facility on County Road 42.
We are proud for Hamilton, Marion County and the region to be able to have this magnificent sportsplex available to the Marion County School System and perhaps even more partnerships in the future on a college level.
We are excited for the youth who will benefit from this facility now, and the many generations to come who will be able to take advantage of years of hard work, effort, planning, execution and expense on behalf of bettering this community and region.
Without one loan, without a single bond purchase and without putting the city into any debt, including not a penny of interest, the city council and mayor, along with the Marion County Board of Education made brave decisions looking always to the future, youth enrichment and economic development of this area.
During the dedication, Hamilton Mayor Bob Page began the remarks, noting, “Here we are on a beautiful morning to actually dedicate this great facility to the region---not just for Hamilton, but to the region.
“We want everyone who loves to run or is active in sports or wants exercise and to be healthy to use this facility that’s been built by the City of Hamilton and the Marion County Board of Education.
“We’re very pleased to have our audience today, as well as some of our athletes who will be participating in a run in a few minutes, so we don’t want to delay this.”(The inaugural Aggie Classic Cross Country Meet was held immediately afterwards, with a dozen schools competing in the event.)
The mayor asked councilor W. Ross Reed to come forward and share a few words with those in attendance.
During his remarks, Reed thanked those who were present, along with the Marion County Board of Education for their contribution, and the City of Hamilton, including the mayor and city council members, for their continual efforts on behalf of the sportsplex.
He also thanked Avery Landscaping & Associates, Dominguez Construction and architecture firm HNP and Latham, along with contractor Jeremy Evans, who constructed the bottom parking lot.
“I thank the Lord for leading and guiding us down this road,” Reed said.
He also thanked consultant Steve Dudley and Hamilton Parks & Recreation Department Director Tim Kerr and the entire recreation department for their work behind the scenes.
“It did not go unnoticed,” he said.
Reed then thanked the citizens of Hamilton and the region for allowing the city to undertake this project “to better our community and this region and of course, our kids.”
“I’m thankful we were able to be a part of establishing a home for both our cross country and track meets, and I know Coach (Scotty) Sanderson and the entire track team will really enjoy this over the next several years. Thank you for coming out and may God bless you.”
The mayor also asked pastor Tommy Franks from Hamilton Free Will Baptist Church to come and “give a prayer of invocation and dedication for this beautiful facility.”
Franks thanked “our Heavenly Father for making this possible,” and prayed the Lord would be glorified by the facility. He asked when people come to use the facility, everything would be done for His glory and honor.
“Let this be a place used to further glorify You,” he prayed.
Franks also thanked those who put their time and effort toward the project.
“We thank those who love this town and love this county,” he said. “We thank You for providing what we needed--for the coaches, for the parents, for the students. The Lord works in mighty ways. May this be a place where Your Son Jesus Christ will be glorified. I pray You will bless this place.”
We also pray for the Lord to bless this facility and all those who use it. And we ask Him to please bless our city, county and region, and every single soul involved in bringing this wonderful sportsplex vision into the reality we see before us. To God be the glory!
See complete story in the Journal Record.
Subscribe now!