Final phase of Grand Park begins in August

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - Myrtle Beach city officials hope to get started with the final phase of Grand Park toward the end of August. Coaches whose teams are playing on the popular playing fields in Myrtle Beach are excited the construction is slated to start in a few weeks.

Charles Lane, the Eastcoast baseball coordinator of Triple Crown Sports said he has seen the progress of Grand Park throughout the years. Lane stated, "Even last year hosting the tournament here they had three fields at Grand Park so to go from 3 fields to 8 fields is a tremendous asset to our tournament."

Lane said he is anxious to see the final field and concession building constructed. Lane went on to explain, "Not having a central location where we can set up our merchandise stand, our coordinating efforts for the teams…we have to set it off to the side."

City of Myrtle Beach Assistant Manager Ron Andrews said it is all part of a master plan project that has been taking place over the past five to six years. The recent city budget allocated funds for the completion of the project.

Andrews stated, "We will build the final building first. If you ride around Grand Park you will see that there has been the parking lots completed so adjacent to one of the parking lots is an empty field and that's where the final field will go." Andrews explained that it is costing a total of about twenty million dollars which is helping to advance the city's sports tourism push.

Andrews added, "Obviously facilities are really important if you're going to push yourself as a sports tourism community, and we see that all around us. Other communities are adding facilities which is great and only compliments what we are doing here."

Mark Kruea, the city spokesman said the facility is in high demand right now, and that interest could increase once construction is finished. Kruea added, "This allows them to schedule a larger tournament…larger number of teams and games in our one facility. It just makes it more convenient for them. Plus we get a lot of use out of our locals who get to pay their softball and baseball tournaments there too."

City officials said they have to schedule events a year in advance. We could see the park completed in February-March of 2013.

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