Many years of hard work came to fruition Tuesday night, as the Newton County Recreation Commission held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Covington Miracle League Field.
"There are 2,704 children in our schools with mental and physical disabilities and that's why we are all here," Tamara Richardson, Miracle League of Newton County consultant said at the ceremony. "I am so excited that we are, very soon, going to have something in Newton County for ya'll to play."
The field, along with other turf fields and a special needs playground will begin construction on Sept. 1 by the Georgia Department of Corrections.
The complex will sit where the current football fields are and encompass a 225-square-foot artificial turf field and a 5,200-square food playground. The playground will be the first in Newton County for children with mental and/or physical disabilities.
Executive Director of the National Miracle League, also at Tuesday's ceremony, said she was proud of the accomplishments Newton County has made over the past few years.
"Newton County recognizes that it's not about the money, but it's about the passion and commitment that it takes to see a miracle happen," she said. "What you've accomplished over the past four years here is what have been so grateful to experience across the country."
The Miracle League plans to have to the field construction within 8 to 12 months.
Some guests in attendance included: U.S. Congressman Hank Johnson, Covington City Council, Newton County Board of Commissioners, members from the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs, Newton County Sheriff Ezell Brown, members from the Newton County Chamber of Commerce and local residents.
Other speakers included: Tommy Hailey, director of Newton County Recreation Commission; Rev. Ronny Brannen of Prospect United Methodist Church; Dick Schulz, chair of Friends of Newton County Miracle League; Kathy Morgan, chair of the Newton County Board of Commissioners; Ronnie Johnston, mayor of Covington; Danny Stone, vice chair, of the Newton County Recreation Commission and Preston Mixon of the Georgia Department of Corrections.
