A sizeable crowd took part in the official opening of the current phase of improvements at the Sumrall Sportsplex off Mississippi 42, as approximately 100 participants gathered May 30 at the site to check out the new amenities that have been in the works for the last few months.
The event, which featured a ribbon cutting, was attended by Mayor Joel Lofton, Sen. Joey Fillingane, several members of the Sumrall Board of Aldermen and others.
“Initiated over seven years ago, the development at the Sumrall Sportsplex was the result of the efforts of groups of students, parents and supporters who wanted the same opportunities afforded others,” Lofton said. “Though several sports participated in by Sumrall middle and high schools have the facilities necessary to practice and play, neither soccer nor tennis have ever been provided a facility of their own.
“To meet the need of these student athletes, the town picked up the project years ago and continued the work started as a grassroots effort.”
The improvements include new tennis courts and a facility that houses concessions, team meeting space, locker rooms, storage, public restrooms and a viewing deck that allows views of the soccer fields and tennis courts.
Lofton said this will mark the first time that Sumrall High School soccer and tennis teams will have facilities of their own. Prior to this, many athletes and parents would make the drive to Tatum Park in Hattiesburg to play on those fields.
“For the last several weeks, as it’s become more and more apparent that we’re nearing an opening date, we’ve received calls from residents who are ready to get out and utilize the courts,” he said in a previous story. “We’ve met with our coaches, who are ready to start scheduling matches and practices, as well as some coaching clinics for young people.
“I believe that the Sumrall tennis team will host a clinic this summer – now that they have a home court, they look forward to doing that. They used to do it for a fundraiser each year, but it was rather difficult for parents in Sumrall to be able to travel back and forth to Tatum daily.”
Members of the Sumrall Board of Aldermen awarded the bid for improvements to the Sumrall Sports Complex plan and voted to approve the $2.5 million project to MitchCo Construction of Hattiesburg.
Plans for the current phase of improvements began in 2021 for the site, which had seen extensive work over the previous months. As part of that, town officials received $600,000 from the Mississippi House of Representatives, which was secured with the help of District 101 Representative Kent McCarty and Fillingane.
Previously, Fillingane helped secure funding for work at the sports complex under two initiatives: $500,000 through the BP Settlement Bill and $2 million from Senate Bill 3065.
More improvements will take place in future phases, although an exact timeline has not yet been set for those projects. Lofton said more plans will be set in stone after people have a chance to enjoy the amenities at the current phase.
“Our focus has been getting (this phase) up and in use,” he said. “When we’re spending tax dollars like this, we want to make sure they go where they’re needed, and it’s very important for us to see these facilities do get used. Some have asked when we’ll build another soccer field (or other additions), but it’s important for us to see the initial one in use.
“So we wanted to get these up and running, and we want to see how this goes with our community. But we’re excited, and we’re confident that there will be regular use of this. In fact, I’ve spoken with quite a number of people who regularly take the courts in Hattiesburg, whether it be the racquet club or Tatum, and they’re excited about an additional opportunity closer to their home, where they don’t have to travel quite as far, so I think we’ll pick up quite a few players right off the bat.”
