The Lowndes County sports complex is still under construction, but it may soon have a new name.
Interim Recreation Director Tom Velek told the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday morning that BankFirst had agreed to sponsor the park, which will be known as “BankFirst Yards Sportsplex.”
Under the agreement, BankFirst will handle branding and custom swag for the park, Velek explained. A logo has been developed that will be on signage, as well as t-shirts and official apparel available at the park.
“It’s a complete identity package,” Velek said. “We can utilize that brand when we’re attracting tournaments and making merchandise. We can brand that facility for our baseball and softball programs.”
Branded backdrops will be available for the “trophy shots” after events, Velek said.
The signage and swag is at BankFirst’s expense, Velek said, so it doesn’t cost the taxpayers anything.
“Lowndes County is really at a tipping point with facilities,” Velek said. “When this thing opens, we are going to have an extraordinary facility one highway exit away from an extraordinary soccer and multi-use facility (at the Roger Short Soccer Complex).”
County Administrator Jay Fisher told The Dispatch BankFirst’s commitment is $25,000 a year over 10 years.
That money will go into the general fund, but will help with the future expense of running the sports complex, said President Trip Hairston.
“Our park system has an about $1 million budget right now, and we don’t levy any millage for that,” Hairston said. “… This kind of thing helps offset that budget.”
“We are very excited about this partnership,” said BankFirst Marketing Officer Katie McLaurin. “Community involvement and investing in our communities is extremely important to BankFirst. … We are headquartered in Columbus, and it’s important to us to be involved in this.”
Velek said he is also working to find individual sponsors for each of the eight fields, and he has commitments for four. Sponsorships are also available for the concession stands.
The agreement has not been formally approved yet, Hairston said.
BankFirst President James Hazard, in a press release, noted his personal connection to youth sports in Lowndes County.
“Growing up in Columbus and playing ball here brings back so many great memories, and we are excited about the opportunity to enhance the lives of our youth by creating a positive environment for kids to develop and grow,” Hazard said in the release.
This is the second major partnership at the sports complex in the last two weeks.
Last week 4-County Electric’s internet service arm, FastNet, announced it would provide free Wi-Fi for citizens at the complex. In exchange the playground will be named the 4-County Playground, and signage will be put up noting that the internet services are courtesy of the cooperative.
The $12 million first phase of the complex is expected to be complete in September. It includes eight baseball/softball fields, concession/restroom areas, an entry gate, picnic tables and a playground area.
Brian Jones is the local government reporter for Columbus and Lowndes County.
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