The Rickman Recreation Center will look to finish up renovations to the baseball field after receiving an estimated $5,000 donation from Overton County Commissioners.
Rickman Recreation Center President Clint Melton said efforts began to restore the field a few years ago, and now the project is about 95 percent complete. Melton said improvements included repaired bleachers, dugouts, and a much-improved infield. Melton said funding will go toward purchasing LED bulbs for the new field lighting, as one of the final touches to the project.
“Make sure everything is wired correctly, make sure they are working properly, and if we can get some fall use out of it, that’s great,” Melton said. “But definitely be ready this spring for baseball and those kinds of things to take off.”
Melton said the remaining funds will go towards starting a renovation project for the Rickman Community Center. Melton said the community center is in desperate need of a renovation.
“It’s not had any updates in a long, long time,” Melton said. “I think the most important thing, first of all, is taking care of the restrooms there and making sure they are working. There is some mold that we are gonna have to deal with in there, with some leaks. Making sure we are taking care of those leaks and doing a lot with the restrooms there to make sure those are functional and working properly. And then from there will be some cosmetic stuff, but we will kind of push that back.”
Melton said the community center’s kitchen and HVAC systems could also use some improvements. Melton said once the ball field is complete, the focus will be shifted toward the community center. Melton said there has been a lot of work going into renovating the ball field.
“We’re very proud of it,” Melton said. “We think that the youth and even the older people in the community will get a lot of use and enjoyment out of the field.”
Melton said receiving $5,000 from the county was a big help. Melton said more funding is needed before community center renovations can begin.
