By By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
March 23, 2001
DECATUR Newton County Youth Soccer Organization teams have been playing soccer on just about any field they can borrow, but they hope to have their own fields by next year.
Decatur Mayor David Griffin said town officials plan to lease city-owned land next to the Decatur Baseball League's baseball fields to the soccer teams. He said he doesn't think the rent will be high.
Ada McGrevey is the treasurer of the organization and her daughter plays soccer. McGrevey said the teams are using the Decatur Baseball League's fields on Chapel Hill Road off Highway 15.
They have also used fields belonging to Hickory and East Central Community College, and the Meridian Youth Soccer League has provided coaches, fields and other support.
She said Newton County's group decided to build their own fields in Decatur because interest in soccer at area schools is growing and Decatur is central to everyone who might want to play.
McGrevey said organizers plan to build three fields. She said Newton County road crews will provide machinery and labor to clear and grade the site.
McGrevey said youth soccer funds will pay for laying out and planting the fields.
The spring season has to end in April so the baseball teams can have their fields back, she said.
She said she hopes clearing and grading will be complete by the summer and is shooting for field completion next year. Anyone interested in making a donation can write the Newton County Youth Soccer Organization at P.O. Box 842, Decatur, MS 39327.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.