The Timken Sports Complex is somewhat deceiving just looking at it from the main gate in the parking lot from Rice Avenue Extension.

But all that mystery will be revealed in less than a week when the complex officially opens for business Friday, Feb. 26.

A grand opening ceremony is planned that afternoon — first for invited guests only from noon-2 p.m. and the public is welcome to come wander around and take the entire facility in after before the Union County High School Yellow Jackets open their 2010 baseball season at 5 p.m. on the main field.

Of course, everyone is encouraged to stick around and watch the first game of not only the high school baseball team’s season but of its first home tournament which will run over the weekend.

Just to take the itch out of the air, however, Union County Facilities and Airport Director Ronnie Wade and Timken Sports Complex Director Kevin Shropshire led The Union Daily Times on a sneak peak tour of the facility on Thursday.

Everyone involved with the complex — now and over the last two years since the project began — is excited for the facility’s opening next week.

Wade, Shropshire and complex assistant director Paul Wilkes each said it’s been a lot of work getting to this point but it’s all been well worth the effort.

“I think we’re all just proud of what we’ve got,” Wade said.

“I’m proud of it,” Shropshire said. “And now I’m proud of being out here taking care of it.”

All three of them have been involved in the vision, planning and construction phases of the complex project — in one capacity or another — and they are glad to see opening day within reach.

“I’ve seen it from the start in 2007 — I’ve seen it in progress,” Wilkes said. “We’ve done a lot of hard work and it looks really nice. I think it will be good for the people of Union County as well as the state.”

The multi-million dollar sports complex has its roots in a vision by Union County that was aided by a 27-acre land donation from Timken US Corporation and a hefty monetary donation from the Timken Foundation.

Now with opening day just out of reach, that original vision is becoming reality. The complex already is pretty much fully booked most days of the week from the end of this month to the end of April and has events booked for 34 weeks through December.

The complex is home to seven ball fields — each with their own state-of-the-art PA system designed to not over broadcast into other fields — and enough seating for at least 1,800 people and that’s not counting all the standing room and space where people can set up lawn chairs or other seating.

The North Tower — the first as you enter the complex — houses the main office and first aid areas as well as concessions, an arcade with a dining room and bathrooms. The arcade has access to a concessions window and there are three concessions windows accessible from the outside.

The top floor of the North Tower is home to the press box where four of the seven fields are viewable. The PA systems for those four ball fields as well as a general PA system that can override each individual field’s in the event of an emergency or general announcement also are housed in the press box.

From the North Tower, the complex opens up with concrete walkways to all of the ball fields. Each field also has covered seating.

The largest field — or main playing field — is 320 feet from home plate to the left and right and 375 feet from center. The others are considered tournament fields and are somewhat smaller; however, all of them can be adjusted for specific playing regulations depending on what organization or team is playing. The complex also has portable pitching mounds that can be used on each field.

On the opposite end of the facility from the main gate is the South Tower — a smaller version of its sister tower to the north. The south building houses a smaller concession operation and also a smaller press box where the other three fields of the complex can be seen — including the main playing field. Of course, there also are restrooms in the building for those attending an event on that end of the complex.

Both towers have sponge-covered flooring in their press/coach/announcer/scoring areas to make long periods of standing a little easier on those who are there.

Wade added everything at the complex also is handicap-accessible.

On the outside of the complex fences are a 0.83 mile walking trail that is lit from dusk until 11 p.m. each day and again from 5:30 a.m. until the sun rises. There’s also a kids playground that’s open while the complex is open.

The complex itself encompasses 10 acres of the 27 Timken donated to the county and Wade, Shropshire and Wilkes encourage the public to come out and take a look — not only next Friday, but whenever they would like.

With 34 weeks of the year already having bookings for some type of tournament or event, Shropshire is sure once people come out and see the type of facility Union County now has they will definitely come back.

“Once it opens and people see it, they will come,” he said.

The public is encouraged to come out next Friday for the grand opening. But, if you can’t wait that long, Shropshire would be glad to show you around anytime while he’s at the park.

“They’re welcome to come out and tour it,” he said.