Branchville celebrates $2.3M sports complex

Orangeburg County Councilman Harry Wimberly said he envisions the complex as a “center for our young people.”

“This is their future,” Wimberly said, expressing his desire to see future generations of families enjoy the complex.

The $2.3 million complex was made possible through the voter-approved 1 percent capital project sales tax.

The complex features a fully-equipped concession stand, scorer’s tower, meeting room, restrooms, two recreational baseball fields, two multi-use/collegiate fields and one soccer field.

The two multi-use baseball fields can be adjusted to accommodate all levels of play with distance from fence to plate being up to 400 feet for adult play.

The blue and gray concession stand serves as a centerpiece of the complex.

The 35-acre property was purchased for $100,000 from the Vernon Ott Revocable Trust. It is located at 2645 Classic Road.

Construction began in February and ended in October. The work was delayed due to the weather.

Aiken-based H.G. Reynolds Company Inc. was the general contractor. The county will own the complex while the Branchville Youth Sports Committee will maintain the complex.

Wimberly said the idea for a sports complex has been in the making for the past ten years.

“Look at it today,” Wimberly said. “This is something we can all be proud of.”

Orangeburg County Administrator Harold Young thanked voters for approving the sales tax, which officials call “the penny.” He said the park is “all about the kids.”

“The county makes good on its promises,” Young said. “But this is about the citizens. You citizens spend the penny and you get the projects you deserve.”

Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, and Sen. John Matthews, D-Bowman, also praised the power of the sales tax.

“This is truly a gem,” Cobb-Hunter said. When she saw all the stadium lights shining in the darkness she thought, “Whooohoooo, look at Branchville.”

Matthews said the complex shows, “the vision, wisdom and willingness” of all to make it become a reality.

“It shows what we can do when we are working together for the penny,” he said.

Branchville Town Councilman Michael Blankenship said Horton Field served the town well, but the growth of team sports has caused the town to outgrow the facility.

The community has about 100 people who play T-ball, softball and baseball, but only had one ball field before the complex was finished.

“It has become a logistical nightmare for all of us,” he said. “It has been a mess. This field means no more Tuesday night parking mayhem at Horton Field.”

Blankenship said the complex will host a number of different regional and state tournaments, including football events in the future.

Mayor Franklin Dickson said without the penny, a town the size of Branchville would not be able to build such a complex.

“The penny creates projects,” he said.

Branchville resident Linda Mims came out to the ribbon-cutting to show her support for the community.

“It looks good,” Mims said. “It will do a lot for Branchville and Orangeburg in general.”

Mims’ 6-year-old daughter, Korris, kept her excitement simple and controlled.

“I like the fields,” she said.

Khristen Barker came with her children, who are involved in various athletic activities.

“It is awesome,” she said. “It is huge.”

Barker said she hopes the park will increase community involvement.

“We hope it will bring a lot more youth to start playing sports all over,” Barker said. “When we were doing sports, we used to go to Bamberg or Summerville. With this, we will not have to travel. We can come here and do everything.”

Edisto Middle School student Charles Daniels, 12, threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Orangeburg County Council Chairman Johnnie Wright.

Caylah Harris, a 10-year-old from Lockett Elementary School, threw out the first softball to Dickson.

In addition to the ribbon-cutting, the Branchville Girls volleyball team was recognized for winning the state championship.