Hopkins Co. turning to residents for proposed sports complex | News

HOPKINS CO., KY (WFIE)- Hopkins County residents will get their chance to weigh in on a proposed sports complex. This week, fiscal court agreed to undergo a three month public study.

That study will be thru the Community Improvement Foundation.

This project has been in the works for about five years, and the county is hoping this study will help them learn more about where plans should go from here.

Funding issues, land quality, and even a possible location change are just a few of the speed bumps interfering with construction on a new sports complex, but now, the county is turning to the citizens for help.

"I think that everybody likes to be a part of something, and I think that we'll see people come forward and be a part of it once they see that it's really going to happen," Hopkins County Judge Executive Donnie Carroll.

There have been previous studies on the complex, but Carroll says it was more based on the economic impact it would have on the county.

"It showed what was going on in Owensboro, Bowling Green, and Paducah and the money they've invested, the tourists it brought in, and how much income it brought in," said Carroll.

This latest study will be split into two phases.

Director of the Community Improvement Foundation, Shane Browning says it includes one-on-one interviews, mail surveys, and online questionnaires.

"We want to hear from the people about their ideas on what they would like to see in the sports park, whether it be soccer fields or baseball fields," said Browning.

The study is also in place to see if the public is willing to donate to the project financially because an additional three million dollars is needed to get the complex ready for games. Carroll says it's important to get things rolling quickly.

"As long as it stays dormant, who wants to give to something like that," said Carroll.

Phase two will involve collecting any donations.

"Then we can take that information back to the fiscal court, they can make an informed and educated decision on steps to move forward," said Browning.

That public survey should be ready in about five weeks for the public to fill out.

14 News will keep you updated on how to access it once it becomes available.