Restrooms and a new concession stand are among the improvements that will be made to the South Hills Softball Complex with more than $140,000 in state and local funds, county officials say.

Supervisor Tommy Sinclair said Tuesday the county’s application for $121,000 in Parks And Recreation Department (PARD) funds has been approved by the State Recreation Department. Sinclair said the PARD money, which will be matched with $20,000 in local funds, will be used to upgrade the South Hills Softball Complex. He said the upgrade of the complex will begin sometime after the first of the year.

Airport and Stadium Director Ronnie Wade said the upgrade of the complex will include the installation of restrooms to replace the portable toilets now used, construction of a new concession stand, the complete renovation of one of the complex’s larger balfields including installation of an irrigation system and the other large ballfield will get an irrigation system as well.

The complex has four softball fields. The two smaller fields are usually used by teams of younger children while the two large fields are used by older children or adult teams.

Timken Sports Complex

Wade also reported on the status of the Timken Sports Complex. He said the contractor has agreed to correct the misplacement of a field’s irrigation system. The system was installed along the base lines and playing area and will have to be relocated. Wade said the correction will be paid for by the contractor at no cost to the county.

Also in the works is the installation of additional fencing behind the batting cages and a fence around the stormwater runoff pond.

“Other than that, everything is ready to go,” Wade said.

Sinclair said the county is looking at a holding an open house and dedication for the complex in late February.

The complex’s facilities include seven baseball and softball fields of varying size, a playground area for smaller children, a walking path, batting cages and set aside bullpens and concession. Even though the complex has not been formally opened, a number of people have already used its walking trail and Sinclair said athletic organizations are continuing to inquire about using the fields as soon as possible.

The complex is named for Timken US Corporation which donated the land where it sits and $500,000 toward construction of the park.