25 Jun 2014 Ground-breaking held for Conway Braves Field

A ground-breaking ceremony took place Monday for the Conway Braves Field at Curtis Walker Park.

“Our field really will serve much more of the 501 than just Conway,” said Conway Alderman David Grimes, who along with Jeff Matthews has led the effort to establish the park. “Kids and adults from anywhere will be able to play.”

The Braves Field project includes parking lot repair and overlay, sidewalks, an inclusive playground area for kids with special needs, bleachers, field construction, covers for spectator seating and landscaping.

In addition to the new field, other improvements will take place at Curtis Walker Park. The renovation of Peyton Hillis Football Field will include lighting, scoreboard, concrete seating and improvements to the press box.

The city has already completed a new concession/bathroom building at the park. “Basically, it is going to be like a brand new park when it is all done,” Grimes said, adding that the city is going to spend $1.2 million to complete the improvements.

Nearly $300,000 in cash and in-kind services have been donated for the new baseball field. “This is the amount to be applied toward the $1.2 million, so the cost to the city is reduced by the amount we have raised,” Grimes said. “We are still collecting donations to complete some extras on the field.”

Grand Slam sponsors donating $20,000 each for the field include American Management Corporation, Centennial Bank, Caldwell Toyota Scion, Conway Corporation and the Kiwanis Club of Conway.

Funding for the Curtis Walker improvements is from Advertising and Promotion funds and Conway Parks and Recreation Impact Funds, according to Steve Ibbotson, parks director.

The new field is scheduled for completion this fall. According to Grimes, there will be an “Opening Day” game to christen the field, with a full season of Braves Baseball, run by the Conway Parks and Recreation Department, in the spring.