Rex Soccer Fields Open Sept. 13 9/9/08

A ceremony marking the opening of the Rex soccer fields will be Saturday, Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. near the intersection of Avent Ferry Road and N.C. 55.

Three soccer fields for the Town's athletic programs have been built on approximately 7 acres that Rex Healthcare is allowing the Town to use. The property is on the downtown side of N.C. 55, which is G.B. Alford Highway.

Mayor Dick Sears will kick out the first ball to mark the opening. Rex Healthcare representatives will be on hand. Youth soccer matches will follow the ceremony.

The ceremony had been scheduled for Sept. 6, but was postponed because of the storm.

The fields' opening comes less than four months after completion of a property license agreement. The 3-year agreement can be canceled by the Town or by Rex, which is allowing usage of the property for free. The 7 acres are part of a larger tract where Rex has announced plans for healthcare facilities.

"We're excited that they're giving us a chance to use this property for our growing recreation program," Town Manager Carl Dean said.

Town Parks and Recreation Director Len Bradley said the idea of building the soccer fields came together quickly after he learned of Rex's plan to purchase land at Avent Ferry Road and G.B. Alford Highway, which is N.C. 55.

“I was familiar with the property and had already thought part of the property would make an excellent area for soccer fields,” he said. “The land was already clear and used for agriculture. There was a pond close by for irrigation, and the property had decent access.”

The costs for grading, chemicals, grass sprigging, irrigation and soccer goals will total about $25,000, Bradley said. Funding comes from Parks and Recreation reserves.

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Town of Holly Springs - PO Box 8 - 128 South Main Street - Holly Springs, NC 27540 - (919) 552-6221 - Holly.Springs@hollyspringsnc.us