Spout Spring Ruritan Club hopes concession stand ready by 2010

The Spout Spring Ruritan Club has made an offer to Appomattox County it can’t refuse: let the group raise money for the next big project at the county park, and build it.

The project is a concession stand that also will have permanent restrooms and a press box. The county has estimated it could cost upward of $200,000, but the Ruritan Club has said it will provide $40,000 in matching money for community donations. Additionally, the club said it will actually start building, with the goal of opening in time for baseball season 2010.

The county has worked on the park, which is located off Police Tower Road, for the last five years, putting in numerous ball fields. This summer, the sewer system was completed and power lines had been run out to the property, said Anne Dixon, county recreation director. The next step was to build the concession stand that would have a press box and restrooms.

James Cheatham, the project’s organizer, said the idea came after he went to his grandchildren’s ball game at the park. “They had one Porta John for 300 people and I said something needs to be done, and I followed up on it,” he said. He approached the club’s board about the project and it agreed.

Rather than a Ruritan Club project, Cheatham said, organizers want the building to be a community project, which is why they are seeking donations that will be matched.

The club also is working with a volunteer contractor who will build the building. Plans have been drawn and as of last week, the club was just waiting on the last few permits, Cheatham said. There will be a groundbreaking ceremony at the park at 9 a.m. Saturday.

“We’re very excited, but the thing I’m very impressed with is Spout Spring Ruritan Club is going to match every donation they receive,” Dixon said. “For them to take this project on is just huge.”