Sports complex moves forward

By JUSTIN HARMON/Staff

Though a completed sports complex, a joint project with the Town of Abingdon and Washington County, is still a ways off, the first real steps are being taken.
According to Town Manger Greg Kelly, the board voted on Nov. 5 to allow him to enter into a contract with Clifton Stewart Rentals, the owners of the property that the complex is scheduled to be built on.
According to Kelly, the County will likely take up a similar resolution during its next meeting. After that, he said, the process of purchasing the land will begin.
The purchase price, according to Kelly, is $2,373,200; just at $40,000 an acre for the nearly 60-acre lot.
While the price may seem steep, Kelly said the county would also pay for a portion of the property. He said the exact split would be worked out at a later date; however, the county will likely shoulder more of the cost than the town, he said.
Kelly said that once the land was acquired, a steering committee would be appointed to oversee the complex’s completion and operation.
In other news, Kelly reported that the Virginia Creeper Trail Club gave the town $23,000.
According to Kelly, the club originally got the money from the town to design maps and make infrastructure improvements to the trail. However, Kelly said it received a grant from the Department of Conservation and Recreation. The club returned the full amount.
“It’s rare that people give money back,” he said.
Justin Harmon can be reached at 628-7101 or