ECCC to Break Ground on New Turf Field at Bailey Stadium

DECATUR, Miss. (Press Release) — A groundbreaking ceremony for a new synthetic turf field is scheduled June 13 at East Central Community College’s Bailey Stadium on the Decatur campus. The ceremony was scheduled following approval of the award of the bid by the ECCC Board of Trustees earlier this week.

Activities begin at 2 p.m. on Warrior Field for the new turf surface, which will not only be used for football games but will also host soccer matches and other special events.

CR Construction, Inc., of Flowood was the successful bidder for the eight-week project, estimated to cost approximately $727,000. The field is designed by Eley Guild Hardy Architects of Biloxi.

Funding for the installation of the turf field is provided in part from net proceeds of the recently held “Laying the Foundation: An Evening with Coach Tony Dungy.” The fundraising event was hosted March 28, 2014, at the Neshoba County Coliseum in Philadelphia and featured the current analyst for NBC’s Football Night in America, award-winning author and Super Bowl-winning coach who is also involved in a variety of charitable organizations.

“Thanks to the financial support from program sponsors — the Rush Sports Medicine Team, Anderson Regional Medical Center, Valley, and the more than 400 individuals who purchased tickets for the Dungy event, and the East Central Board of Trustees, we are able to begin the first phase of much-needed improvements to our football facility,” said ECCC President Dr. Billy Stewart. “We are also in the process of providing opportunities for businesses and individuals to help fund construction of the Football Operations Center, which will be constructed on the north end of the football field. We are very pleased with the response thus far and look forward to completing fundraising for the facility in the very near future.”

Stewart will provide opening remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony. Also participating in the brief program will be Board of Trustees Vice Chairman Jerry Smith of Philadelphia; Athletic Director Chris Harris; Head Football Coach Ken Karcher; and Taylor Guild, representing the architectural firm.”

The public is invited to attend the groundbreaking ceremony.