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that for decades has served the community very well, but has unfortunately fallen into disrepair in the last few years.

In August of 2025 the city received a $250,000 grant to help upgrade the Soperton Recreation Department, and according to Mayor Koon, this funding will be used for Phase I upgrades to the old recreation fields and property. The upgrades include removing one of the two old tennis courts and replacing it with four pickle ball courts, resurfacing the other tennis court, replacing the old basketball court with a new lighted court. Phase I will also see the addition of a second basketball court, a new shelter for cornhole games and horseshoe pits plus repair of the old shelter. Phase II will be the repurposing of the ball fields for multi-purpose use.

According to Mayor Koon, “We’ve got a long vision but unfortunately, we do not have all the money needed to get everything done right away, but the $250,000 grant we received will get things started.” The mayor added the city would again be contacting state officials for additional grant monies needed to get all the planned upgrades accomplished. TQ Constructors of Metter has been hired by the city to do the revitalization work, and Turnipseed Engineers is the civil engineer for the project.

Before the gold shovels moved dirt, the mayor welcomed the individuals in attendance and thanked all who had shared the dream and helped make it a reality. He then spoke on a more personal level about all the times he had as a youngster and adult spent on the property and how much it had shaped his life. “It is personal for me. I spent countless hours here. As a teenager and an adult. I have played softball, baseball, tennis, umpired and coached all right here. I guess you could say I grew up here. I have emotional ties to this place. Like many in the community do. And like them and you, I was bothered to see these fields, this park go unused and unkept. That’s why I knew that if I became mayor, I wanted to do something to bring it back to life. I learned that others in the community had that same want, too. And here we are today making a reality of that.” The mayor noted that next week the contractors will be moving dirt, and then within about 180 days, weather permitting, there will be significant upgrades completed within Phase 1 of the revitalization project.