Hegwood also updated Kiwanis members on the expansion at the Susan B. Vincent Sportsplex which will see eight softball fields added to the sports complex. The new softball complex will be comprised of eight fields -- four will be built at a 300-foot length to accommodate adult softball leagues, and the other four will be 220 feet in distance for youth softball leagues.
The city of Laurel plans to organize softball leagues for men, women, children, co-eds, churches, and even industrial teams. The new softball facilities will also be used to host larger tournaments comprised of teams from other areas and is expected to cost around $7,000,000 when complete. Work on the softball complex is expected to begin in November 2019. The new facility is expected to draw softball teams from outside of Jones County and generate additional hotel room bookings, restaurant sales, fuel sales and retail sales from visitors.
Ms. Hegwood answered numerous questions from Kiwanis members regarding the street improvement projects and estimated completion dates. Ms. Hegwood has nearly 20 years of experience in project development, planning, feasibility studies, cost estimating, funding applications, right-of-way acquisition, permitting, bidding, construction administration and client management. Her diverse project portfolio includes wastewater management, industrial and residential water supply, storm water management, and erosion control projects. She has also aided in the design of transportation projects, civil site designs, and transportation enhancement projects. She is also very familiar with funding sources such as CDBG, SRF, NRCS, and STP.
The Kiwanis Club of Laurel meets most Wednesdays at Noon at the Laurel Country Club. Prospective members are welcomed to attend and learn more about the philanthropic work of the Kiwanis Club of Laurel.