15 Aug Blacketor Sports Complex Awarded $15,000 Grant for Upgrades
Concrete pads, where new bleachers will be placed
The Fulton County Community Foundation awarded a $15,000 grant to the Brent Blacketor Memorial Sports Complex for improvements to the soccer and softball facilities. Blacketor Sports Complex, located in Rochester, offers a safe area for local youth to learn and enjoy the sports of softball and soccer. Holding four softball diamonds and seven soccer fields, the complex serves an estimated 700 children from Fulton and surrounding counties, as well as various adult leagues for former players.
Funds will be used to rebuild all eight dugouts at the softball diamonds, as well as implement a new anchoring system for the soccer field bleachers. Additionally, a concrete walkway will be extended to the east gate, making the viewing of games a better possibility for people who struggle to maneuver the current gravel. With these upgrades, the complex will not only be safer for softball players and field visitors but also be more handicap accessible.
“We are thankful for donors who help us be able to keep our area as well maintained as possible,” said Michelle Maroney, treasurer of Blacketor’s board of directors. “This way we can continue to encourage the importance of physical activity and teamwork in these young lives!”
The Foundation also offered a $1 for $1 matching opportunity on all donations to the projects. Blacketor’s fundraising efforts raised $15,000, which was matched and provided an extra $15,000 more from the Foundation for facility improvements.
“We absolutely could not have done without the help of the community,” said Maroney. “We really do get many compliments on our facility, and hope that continues for ourselves and our future visitors!”