Celebration Held Sunday

Many Attend Sports Complex Grand Opening

FARMINGTON — Mayor Ernie Penn presented a plaque Sunday in honor of the 2011 Farmington Summer Ball Board members and former president Christy Watson said the inscription was fitting for the new Farmington Sports Complex.

The plaque reads, “When a community comes together, great moments happen. With great thanks to the parents, kids and city for taking a dream and turning it into a reality.”

The placard will be installed at the ballpark.

Watson became emotional as Penn gave her the plaque on behalf of the ball board. Watson and many parents were instrumental in the drive to build a ballpark for the summer ball program.

“All in all, this was about these kids and this community,” Watson said at a ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony Sunday to celebrate the new sports complex. “And I'm so proud of this complex. I can't thank the community enough.”

Afterward, Watson said she did not expect to tear up during the ceremony but became emotional as she looked behind her at the complex and saw children practicing ball on the fields. She said she could not have imagined a ballpark as nice as the one now in Farmington.

“You can dream it and go to these other cities and you think

it's just a dream. It's very surreal,” Watson said.

Th e comm i t tee ' s campaign for a ballpark had its ups and downs, Watson said, recalling the first failed sales tax election and then attempts to solicit major donations for the park.

“There were good times and bad times and a lot of hard work,” Watson said. “But Farmington has always been about community. It just took a little bit longer and a lot more work to make it happen and make people see what the need was.”

Penn welcomed parents, coaches, ball players, Chamber of Commerce members, city officials and employees and other dignitaries to the grand opening ceremony.

He noted that discussions for new ball fields began more than 10 years ago. Then about three years ago, members of the Farmington Summer Ball Board approached the city council about pursuing the project.

At the time, Penn said, the city was “hoping” it would become a reality.

“This is something we're going to be really proud of,” Penn said, adding, “It's an investment not just for the kids today but for our grandkids and our greatgrandkids.”

In addition to recognizing the summer ball board, Penn also recognized two other people.

Geoffrey Bates, president of Bates and Associates engineering firm, served as construction manager for the sports complex and donated countless hours to the project.

In part Bates' plaque read, “Your time spent on this project far exceeds amounts dictated in a contract, your interest in this project is personal and heartfelt and that attitude has reflected in all you have done for the City of Farmington.”

Bates accepted the plaque, thanking Penn for the honor to be a part of the project. In a lighter moment, Bates said, “I've had a lot of sleepless nights and thank God, it's over.”

Penn also thanked Farmington City Council member Patsy Pike for donating the flagpole and information sign in memory of her late husband, C. D. Pike. Pike served the city of Farmington for more than 25 years as a volunteer firefighter, fire chief and city alderman. He also coached youth baseball in Fayetteville for many years.

A sign will be placed at the base of the flag pole in memory of Pike. Penn asked Patsy Pike if she wanted to make any comments at the grand opening but she was too emotional at the time and declined his offer.

The ceremony opened with the presentation of colors by the University of Arkansas Air Force ROTC, Detachment 030, and the National Anthem played by members of the Farmington High School brass band: Taylor Ashley, Audrey Rodgers, Jamie Spillars, Jim Spillars, Kayla Close, Anthony Lannutti, Beau Uher and Grant Powell.

City Clerk Kelly Thomas gave the invocation and the Farmington Chamber of Commerce sponsored the ribbon cutting.

The city will continue to raise money for the sports complex to make additional improvements and people can purchase commemorative, engraved bricks for a minimum $ 50 donation or outfield banners can be purchased for $325 the first year and $ 250 for subsequent years.

The chamber is sponsoring a quilt raffle and the quilt will be on display at various Farmington businesses. Tickets cost $1 for one ticket or six tickets for $5. The drawing for the quilt will be at FreedomFest.

The program from Sunday's grand opening acknowledged all those who have donated to the sports complex. Major donors ($1,000 and higher) include Penn, Roy and Betty Hummel, Farmington Chamber of Commerce, Lady Cardinals softball team, Walton Family Foundation, Tyson Foods, Arvest Bank, Bank of Fayetteville, PG Telco, Hill Electric, Packaging Specialties, Sonic and Bates and Associates. Many other businesses and individuals also have donated to the park.