Some impressive renovations and updates have just been completed at Bryan County's Hendrix Park in Black Creek, including new artificial turf on the existing football field.

The work on the field is complete just in time for the new recreation football season, and teams are scheduled to christen the field on Labor Day weekend. In addition to the new turf field, this facility now boasts a new concession stand, bathrooms, LED Field Lighting, and a walking track. 

Hendrix Park, located in Black Creek, is a 100+ acre facility with amenities that include a 1.6-mile walking/running track, gymnasium, football fields, soccer fields, baseball/softball complexes, covered picnic shelters, two tennis courts and a playground area.

This is an effort that the county has undertaken to reinvest the energy savings generated by its recent partnership with ABM (a company that specializes in energy savings projects) into a multitude of capital projects to continue meeting the needs of a rapidly growing population. The project, which will include 36 of the county’s buildings and facilities, is scheduled for completion in January 2020. Energy and operations savings will be achieved by installing new lighting, HVAC and control upgrades, implementing water conservation methods, repairing and replacing roofs, and sealing building envelopes to control airflow.

The Hendrix Park upgrades were paid for, completely, by the guaranteed energy savings generated by this overall project. Several other county facilities have received much-needed updates or additions from this energy-savings project as well. 

"The new turf field looks wonderful, and we're so excited to see our young athletes enjoy these updates and play in and on facilities that are truly on par with the great programs we provide," Bryan County Recreation Director Dr. Samose L. Mays said. "We thank the county leaders for helping us make these projects happen and our supportive community for trusting us to teach, train and work with your children. In addition to our football program, this field at Hendrix Park will be used for other sports. It was also done in a way that limits the impact this infrastructure will have on operating costs since the lighting is energy-efficient and the playing surface is maintenance-free. We will be able to focus our staff and resources on other facilities now and continue the cycle of improvement.”