Now what.
After months of meetings, public input, debate and discussion, we have before us an opportunity for the City of Vicksburg laid out beautifully in an artist rendering.
Now what.
After months of these meetings the opportunity laid out before us, now in colored ink, details a mega sportsplex that details 15 full-sized lighted soccer fields, 16 lighted baseball/softball field, 10 lighted tennis courts, lighted basketball and volleyball courts, three parks and pavilions, a walking and cycling trail, amphitheater and a multipurpose building with an indoor Olympic-size swimming pool, batting cages, indoor sports and meeting rooms.
Now what.
As one of those who attended Tuesday’s meeting to unveil a proposed sportsplex said “we need to find a way to build this.” And we agree. But …
While the price tag for this proposed project varies wildly depending on who you talk to, it will not come cheap. That is understandable.
But, before one shovel is turned or one bulldozer is cranked up, the partnership between the City of Vicksburg and the Warren County Board of Supervisors must be solidified; the funding must be secured and work already under way in creating tournaments and events to fill the sportsplex from day one.
We all agree the overall economic impact from this project could be immense, but it will not just happen. It will take the right work from the right people to get this done. For it to have that impact it must pay off the amazing investment it will take to build.
As committee chairman Omar Nelson said during Tuesday’s unveiling, “it’s an investment in our community.” Again, we agree.
As we begin to look into how this project could be funded and ultimately managed, we all know the devil is in the details.
It’s time our leaders get to work to make sure we don’t ultimately get burned.