VIDEO: Building The Field Of Dreams

COLUMBUS, Miss.(WCBI)—-A dream, that’s been a decade in the making, takes one step closer to becoming a reality.

Ground is set to break on the Miracle League Field of the Golden Triangle this weekend.

“We just wanted to make it to where, even though nick’s not here anymore this is a way that he can live on,” said Golden Triangle Outdoors Volunteer Debbie Taylor.

Taylor has made it her life’s mission to bring a Miracle League Field to Columbus.

“I’m a mama and I had a child with special needs. Nick loved baseball more than he loved anything. We were able to see him enjoy that, we were able to see others enjoy that because of our determination, our persistence,”said Taylor.

Miracle League Field will unique features for its special players.

“The park will be 100% accessible. The coating will be a rubberized coating. That’s probably the most expensive part of this project. It will enable the kids who are on walkers, crutches, wheelchairs even if they just have an abnormal gate it will keep things off the ground for them to stumble on,”said Taylor.

The rewarding projects carries a high price tag.

“The project can go anywhere from 350 to 500 thousand dollars. A lot of that’s going to depend on the in-kind services that we get but we’ve been blessed to receive a $100,000 matching grant from Lions Club International Foundation. We’ve also had some smaller grants but that grant was the one that pushed us over the edge that got us able to go forward,”said Taylor.

The Columbus Lowndes Recreation Authority, city officials, Golden Triangle Outdoors, and the Lowndes County Board Supervisors are working toward the finish line of the field, after ten years of work.

“Over a couple years process. It could be as early as a year but of course, the county and the city are given $50,000 a year and then the outdoor recreation is given some money. So, we are going to be as expedient as we possible can so the kids can hit the field,”said Columbus Lowndes Recreation Authority Director Greg Lewis.

The ground breaking is scheduled Saturday at 10 am at Propst Park.