LC Lady Dawgs Softball Fieldhouse Facility 2022
The LC Lady Dawgs Softball team and coaching staff are thrilled that the softball fieldhouse building has been given the green light to begin construction! The new facility will be a 50’ x 100’ building with a locker room, restrooms, concession room, hitting area, and equipment storage areas.
The fieldhouse building will be positioned directly behind the current softball field dugout. Coach Kenny Horn helped to remove fencing, blacktop, and trees out of the work zone, so construction could begin as early as possible.
CPR Construction, LLC from Grayson, KY will complete the construction of the facility, as the company turned in the most economical bid. CPR Construction completed prep work on the grounds. They added in safety fences and placed in erosion barriers before more land preparation begins on the work site.
As many already know, the Lady Dawgs have been sharing the boy’s baseball facilities for many years. The softball players had a great deal to say when they were asked how they feel about receiving this building for their team.
Senior, Kensley Feltner commented, “It is exciting that there will be a building just for our team, and especially for the younger players.” Senior, Allie Triplett, added, “My little sister plays and will have the opportunity to have her own locker room. She will have a place to practice hitting. We have always had to share the baseball building and we wouldn’t get done with practice until 9:00 PM or 10:00PM sometimes. That makes it hard.”
As you can tell, although the older players will not be able to utilize the facilities themselves, they are excited for the younger players to have this new opportunity.
Junior, Dani Crum explained, “I am so excited to have our own place! Generations of teams will use it! I am so excited for our Coach! And I am so thankful for the people that worked to get it for us.” Younger softball players including Grace Preece (sophomore), Taylor Blevins (freshman), Lainey Blevins (eighth grade), and Reagan Stepp (seventh grade) were all excited. They discussed how the new facility will open new and exciting opportunities for them. They all feel they will be able to have better workouts and practices, which will allow them to be better players, and ultimately a better team.
LCHS Softball Head Coach Kenny Horn has been with the program for over 15 years, where he started coaching the junior varsity team.
Coach Horn said, “I am so excited about this! I love working with these kids. I have always felt like our team has always had the best of the best! We have always had the best support, uniforms, equipment, and help whenever we need it with the spring break training trips. There is no other place like Lawrence County! I always say it is about the team’s name of the front of the jersey and not the name on the back. We have great administrators, businesses, and residents supporting our team. I want to thank the LC Board Members for getting this done! All of Lawrence County should be proud of this!”
LCHS Assistant Softball Coach, Sam Sparks added a statement, “The softball building will enable our softball program at all levels, it will help take us to the next step in being a championship program. We are grateful to the LC Board of Education and Superintendent, Dr. Robbie Fletcher for giving these student athletes another tool to help them achieve high levels.”
Bobby Preece, an Assistant Coach, has been with the LCHS Softball Team for 6+ years. He stated, “The new fieldhouse will be a game changer for the team. It will allow the athletes to get to the next level. They will be able to train better, go faster, and farther!”
James and Stacy Jones are both Assistant Coaches. Mr. Jones discussed how the program has advanced through the years. He has watched it change from a slow-pitch to a fast-pitch program. He said, “The motto “All In” is the embodiment of this project. This is the vision of girls’ sports, and they will benefit from a facility they deserve. This is truly a blessing for our community coming true!” Ms. Stacy Jones was a past LC softball athlete. She has witnessed first-hand the forward changes of 30 years that has given momentum to the LCHS softball program. Ms. Jones said, “It is a long time coming, and it is so great to see these athletes get something they deserve! To be able to get a new facility like this, it is amazing and appreciated.”
The construction for the new fieldhouse started on October 3, 2022. The poor weather conditions may have slowed down the construction progress a bit, but hopes are high the facility will be ready for use next year. Again, the LC Lady Dawg Softball players and coaches are deeply appreciative of all the community support! And would like to extend thanks to all the individuals that have put forth the time and work to ensure the development, construction, and future completion of this facility for the LC Lady Dawgs Softball Team!
Sara Gauze
BOE PUBLIC RELATIONS
Is it really costing $850,000 of taxpayers money?