Gadsden State Community College has broken ground on a new $10 million baseball-softball complex. The college had disbanded its baseball and softball teams in 2011 and 2016, but they were brought back in 2022.
“We believe this complex is a tremendous recruitment tool for us,” said Kathy Murphy, president of Gadsden State. “We recruit athletes, who, in turn, encourage friends and family to attend Gadsden State. Expanding sports is beneficial for the college as it promotes school spirit and unity.”
The complex will have an entry concourse, full synthetic turf, LED lighting, new scoreboards, locker rooms and restrooms, a concessions building, bleachers seating 150, press boxes and a covered hitting facility with three synthetic turf hitting and pitching lanes.
Lathan Architects has designed the complex, working with Kyser Construction on the build out. The project is expected to be complete in early 2025.
The City of Gadsden is providing funds for new parking lots and a pedestrian bridge that spans 135 feet over the existing culvert to connect a remote parking lot. The complex is being funded through a bond approved in November by the Alabama Community College System board of trustees.
“This facility is about community. This is not just about Gadsden. This is about all five counties that Gadsden State serves. This is phenomenal for all of us,” said Craig Ford, mayor of Gadsden.
