Parks push for profits

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – There’s new man in charge of events at the Starkville’s Parks and Recreation Department.

He’s no stranger to the area but his fresh face is bringing in new ideas for the upcoming year.

Nick Callahan’s first day with the department was Monday.

Callahan might hold a new position, but he is not new to running sporting events.

He was actually an intern at Starkville’s Parks and Recreation and worked for the Mississippi Golf Association.

He says that experience is what prepared him for his new role.

“Being around tournaments and events it just feels like that built my experience to where that I am ready to help run events, leagues, and tournaments in the recreation setting,” said Callahan.

With new faces comes new ideas.

“I am very excited,” said Mayor Lynn Spruill. “It’s always wonderful to have a new person coming on who gives you new vision and new energy.”

Basketball, soccer, and baseball are sporting events most are familiar with at the Sportsplex. Callahan said he hopes to bring in some non-traditional sports as well.

“Maybe like an outdoor adventure segment or you know something like that something a little unique that maybe we haven’t ever seen before,” said Callahan.

One sport Starkville hasn’t seen is lacrosse.

Lacrosse is one sport Mayor Lynn Spruill hopes to see. In her eyes, the sky is the limit with a state of the art facility.

“I think the future is unlimited,” said Spruill. “I am looking forward to us doing a premier sports tournament facility that will serve both as a direct facility during the day. Days like Monday through Thursday, and then Friday, Saturday, Sunday we will have some tournaments.”

Bringing in new sports is also a big plus for the bulldog city. It could help bring in more money.

“That’s one of the things that our city needs,” said Callahan. “They need outside revenue other than the people that just live here.”

This will help build onto existing tournaments as well as help fund new competitions that may happen in the upcoming year.

While 2018 is not over yet, Callahan already has plans for 2019.

Starkville is scheduled to host the 2019 youth soccer tournament which will spark the new era for Starkville’s Park and Recreation Department.

With a big year coming up, Mayor Lynn Spruill says she hopes to have the number one park in the state of Mississippi.