Public Meeting Saturday (Sept 28, 2024) Seeking Community Input for Proposed JC Sportsplex Project

A public meeting will be held this Saturday (September 28th, 2024) starting at 8:30 AM at the Jackson County Public Library to discuss the details of a proposed Fair Ground/Sportsplex project in Jackson County. The project started to look like reality when State Representative Timmy Truett shared some wonderful news with the community at the beginning of 2024. After a lot of work and discussions with his colleagues in Frankfort, Representative Truett, and Senator Stivers secured $4 million to help develop a recreational complex on property near the city of McKee. Representative Truett commented, "I'm super excited about the fact that we were able to secure the funding for our JC Sportsplex project. I can't wait to see this project started and how it will impact our county in the years to come. A huge thank you to Senate President Robert Stivers for helping with this, his being our senator is a huge deal." 
The leadership in Jackson County has repeatedly identified the need for a multipurpose complex in a central location to allow outdoor recreational activities. A development plan will provide information on project estimated costs, project maps, and information to allow for the preparation of applications for funding for the construction of the project features. 
One of the necessary steps was to hold a community meeting to solicit input from county citizens and stakeholders in the project. State Representative Tim Truett facilitated the first of these community meetings at the Jackson County Extension Office Conference Center at the beginning of February. Judge Shane Gabbard was present along with a substantial number of Jackson County business leaders (including BnB Owners/Operators), Jackson County Tourism representatives, and several interested county citizens. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for September 28[th], 2024 at the Jackson County Public Library. The meeting is scheduled for 8:30 AM so it will have a minimal disturbance to weekend plans. This is an opportunity to see drawings, discuss other options, see results about surveys, etc. 
The purpose of the meeting is to gauge community support for various draft aspects of this future vision for Jackson County as well as continue to glean ideas and generate a wish list of facilities and opportunities that residents would like to see brought to the community. 
At the December meeting of the Jackson County Fiscal Court, State Representative Tim Truett spoke of a vision that he, Judge Gabbard, and other leaders and citizens within Jackson County have for a key community project within the City limits of McKee. The type of project that could place several baseball and softball fields, an amphitheater, a pavilion for the County Fair, space for JC Fair activities, future rally car shows, walking tracks, a cross-country track, pickle ball courts, RV camping, picnic shelters, parking space for events, etc. in Jackson County. A very rough, preliminary strawman map was prepared and used by the group(s) to show where the property is located and to brainstorm ideas. Representative Truett clarified that, of course, nothing is set in stone, and this type of project (or any of the proposed attendant features) is in no way guaranteed. However, you can't have it if you never pursue it and Representative Truett seemed to feel pretty confident that a project of some magnitude would come to fruition. 
Land to build it on was the first thing needed. Approximately 100 acres of land within the City of McKee just off McCammon Ridge Road with relatively flat topography that could be developed has been identified. The $4 million dollars secured by Representative Truett and Senator Stivers will allow the land to be purchased. 
Judge Gabbard and Representative Truett have been working with Nesbitt Engineering, Inc., to create an official draft design for the project, and it should be ready soon. Nesbitt Engineering, Inc. has been providing its assistance pro bono, so the county has not incurred any expenses for its help. The Center for Rural Development approved a $10,000 ARC mini-grant to the Jackson County Fiscal Court to hire an architectural engineering firm to draft a development plan for the recreational complex, referred to as the Jackson County Lakes SummitPlex project. 
Now that a dollar amount has been secured from the General Assembly, the wish list will be revisited with an eye on top priorities and a realistic assessment of what can and can't be done with the funds. The first key element is the acquisition of the property and the development of necessary infrastructure, such as adequate access roads, electricity, water, parking, etc. The hope is to create a project that is self-sustainable and one that can also be expanded upon with additional grants and funding as they become available and as new opportunities and identification of needs arise.