1. Lowndes Recreation Department
GAMECHANGER
for the
FUTURE

2. BENEFITS OF A SPORTS COMPLEX Economic, Social & Health
Stay Healthy Longer
Studies have shown that Children who exercise regularly have lower blood pressure, delayed onset of diabetes, lower heart disease rates, and overall increased longevity. Exercise helps increase white blood cells and strengthens your immune system.
Reduce Stress
Benefits of sports complexes help create a less stressed mind. Stress affects communities at large, and people who regularly use recreation facilities have lower stress levels than sedentary people. Another benefit to the mind is overall happiness. Active children are more than twice as likely to consider themselves as happy.
Benefits to Families
Couples and families that play together tend to stay together. Family ties are improved by spending leisure time with each other. This effect even works with parent-child relationships.
Reduce Crime Rates with Children
Juvenile criminal rates can decrease up to 25% when the community has a sports facility for adolescents to attend. A sports complex gives children a safe place to play, keeping them off the streets.

3. BENEFITS OF A SPORTS COMPLEX Economic, Social & Health
Sports Facilities May Increase Property Value
Houses located closely to newly built sports centers notice increases in property values. Studies have shown that people not only love going to sports centers, but they are also willing to pay to live closer to one.
Cultural Diversity
Cultural differences can cause some problems in community relations. Participating in sports activities can help to increase cohesion in the community. Sports tourism also brings more cultural diversity to sporting events.
Boost Your Students’ Performance
Students who actively participate in recreation activities have increased retention rates. Researchers have verified the link between active lifestyles and retention levels.
Tourism
Sports facilities can hold tournaments that bring people from neighboring cities and states. This increase of people can help bring more revenue into a city several times a year. Local businesses along with the sports facilities see an increase in revenue during these tournaments.

4. LOCATION OF SPORTSPLEX PARK
89 Acres
Located on the North Side of the North Frontage Road on Hwy 82
You may know the property as “The Penn Taylor Property”
Great visibility
Somewhat Rectangular- efficient to develop
Not difficult to direct people to
Easy access, good highway/roads
Neutral drive time- accessibility
Allow for future growth and development

5. EFFECTS ON SURROUNDING AREA
Nearest private residence is
.6 mile to the west
Taylor Thurston Road leading to Elm Lake is 1.0 mile
Shell Truck Stop and Plymouth Bluff Access Road is 1.5 miles
CONCERNS
Construction Congestion- temporary
Traffic- entrance will be designed to accommodate overflow traffic
Light Pollution- lighting system will be designed to defuse spill over (same type eco-lighting that we have at the soccer complex)
Noise Pollution- surrounded by pasture land- will be little to none

6. NON-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF SPORTSPLEX
Social/Psychic Impact- Enjoyment provided by sports facilities to citizens of our county- satisfaction and pleasure knowing you have the facility in your county- an increased spirit of community pride
Image Impact- Increased county visibility and civic pride as a result of the progressiveness of the county’s profile and exposure
Developmental Impact- The ability to better compete for industrial recruitment and possible location of new businesses (important elements of education and recreation)

7. GOALS FOR SPORTSPLEX PARK
Develop a Regional Sportsplex Park
To Include:
Baseball & Softball facilities
Possible multipurpose sports building to include offices and meeting rooms
Possible Park amenities- pavilions, walking tracks, playgrounds, water spray park
Landscaping opportunities

8. WE WANT YOUR INPUT

9. EXAMPLES of SPORTSPLEXES

10. EXAMPLES of SPORTSPLEXES

11. OXFORD SPORTSPLEX

12. TUPELO SPORTSPLEX

13. STARKVILLE SPORTSPLEX

14. CARTHAGE SPORTSPLEX

15. SOUTHAVEN SPORTSPLEX- Snowden Grove

16. LOWNDES SPORTSPLEX PARK

17. LOWNDES SPORTSPLEX PARK

18. LOWNDES COUNTY SPORTSPLEX
5- Youth Baseball Fields
4- Youth T-Ball Fields
4- Youth Softball Fields
4- Adult Softball Fields
2- Concession buildings with meeting rooms
Additional staff- Athletic Coordinator
Additional staff- Maintenance
Additional equipment for maintaining the complex

19. AERIAL OF SPORTSPLEX LOCATION

20. TRAVEL AND ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION
DRIVE TIME TO SPORTSPLEX FROM :
New Hope- 21 mins miles
Caledonia- 29 mins- 20 miles
Crawford mins miles
Artesia mins miles
Columbus- 8 mins miles
CAFB mins- 14 miles
West Point- 22 mins miles
Starkville mins miles
New Hope to Caledonia:
30 minutes- 18 miles
New Hope to Columbus:
11 minutes- 5.8 miles
New Hope to Soccer Complex:
17 minutes- 7.8 miles

21. GOAL AND CONCLUSION
We want to build, operate and maintain a sports and recreation facility that will enrich the quality of life for families and provide future generations with a place to grow and play in an environment that cultivates our community, sportsmanship, leadership, health and wellness. THIS IS FOR OUR CHILDREN FIRST!
CONCLUSION
A very aggressive plan
Great economic impact and non-economic impact
But more importantly, improve the quality of life
Set for the future recreation needs of the County
QUESTION
Are we committed to moving forward with the recreation needs of the County?
Are we committed to getting up to par with our surrounding neighbors?
The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors have a reputation of quality; whatever the endeavor they take on; be it industrial growth, infrastructure, roads, bridges, buildings, education - we are known for first class quality products
How about quality of life issues?
How about parks and recreation?
Are we committed???