Now the city’s Parks and Recreation Department is working to bring more district, regional and state tournaments to the complex.
One of the latest projects comes from the help of a $6,000 grant from Cummins Diesel that will go toward renovating existing batting cages.
Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon said today if there are enough funds left from that grant a new batting cage would be added between Senior and Allen fields.
At stake in this, Simeon said, is a chance to not only make the fields better for teams that play or practice at the field, but to cash in on money brought in from tournaments.
A game at the field.
Improvements made
The improvements include a new look for the two main entrances and trees planted by Allen Field, a $20,000 project provided by KapStone.
In addition there are four new digital scoreboards that can be remotely controlled.
At Dickens Field, both the height and length of the outfield fence was increased and new dugouts built and installed by inmate labor.
Improvements were made to King Field as well that include cypress trees behind the outfield fence and the addition of winged foul poles, an addition that will be done to the other fields within the complex, said Simeon.
Senior Field was renovated, including raising the backstop.
Flowers and plants were put in a bed behind the Allen outfield, the backstop was raised and the infield was renovated. The outfield fence was brought in from 280 feet to 240 feet so it could serve as a multipurpose field, Simeon said.
A new concrete bleacher pad with bleachers was added and the entire park was fenced in.
“This was funded by a collaborative effort between city funds, grants, labor from volunteers, Youth Fellowship Baseball and inmate labor,” Simeon said.
The Halifax Convention and Visitors Bureau paid for the fence that surrounds the complex.
“We’ve been working on this complex the last three years,” Simeon said. “It’s used primarily for youth baseball, soccer practice, football practice and travel baseball, softball and soccer.”
A conference on the mound.
Paying off and helping the neighborhood
The three-year project is paying off, as Ledgerwood will host the Roanoke Valley Youth Softball district tournament in June.
“The place will be hopping,” Simeon said, as the tournament will bring players from ages eight to 18 in from as far as Camden and Currituck counties. “This is for our leagues and to make the baseball field a family-oriented complex.”
Simeon is hopeful that a $90,000 grant he has recently applied for will make the park not only better for ball teams, but for people who live in the immediate area around Ledgerwood.
This money would fund a picnic shelter and playground equipment. “I’m confident we put a strong application together.”
The playground equipment would consist of six swing sets and modular playground equipment in addition to the picnic shelter.
“If we receive this grant it will allow this complex to become a place for children and families to watch the games,” he said.
In addition, the shelter would allow the park to become a place for the free summer lunch program. “It will add an element where the neighborhood has access to playground equipment and swings.”
Making a catch.
Economic goals
The second goal, he said, “Is to work with tourism and bring youth travel tournaments to this facility which brings in much needed economic revenue to the city.”
Before the State Games pulled out of smaller towns in favor of metropolitan cities, the event brought in an estimated $250,000 for 13 straight years, Simeon said.
The makeover efforts appear to be working as the city is also in the running for the U-12 state baseball tournament and is working on bringing a UUUSA Youth Softball tournament to Ledgerwood.
“We’re working with the city of Rocky Mount to become the overrun site for their large tournaments. Their tournaments generate over 150 teams a year and they need assistance in hosting them.”
