High hopes for field of dreams

By By Lynette Wilson / staff writer
Aug. 28, 2002
Q.V. Sykes' vision for a recreation and baseball complex is nearing completion.
Construction of three baseball fields is two-thirds complete. Lighting for the fields is 95 percent complete. Concession buildings and dugouts are 65 percent complete.
And the county is expected to begin paving Q.V. Sykes Lane, the access road to the recreation complex, this fall well before the park's grand opening next spring.
As is stands, 10 youth and adult baseball teams share one field at Highland Park. By next spring, those teams will share the three baseball fields and 50 acres of land at the Q.V. Sykes Complex.
The total cost of the Sykes complex is $1.5 million. The work is funded by a bond issue county supervisors approved that also included money for tennis courts at Northeast Park.
The Q.V. Sykes Complex and the access road are named in honor of former Lauderdale County Supervisor Q.V. Sykes, who died last month. Sykes was the park's biggest proponent.
The three baseball fields will be named in honor of three others instrumental in the project: City Councilman Jesse Palmer, City Councilman George Thomas and former City Councilman and County Supervisor Hobert Kornegay.
County leaders said they hope to give youth a place to play and also attract tournaments to Lauderdale County.