Hall's Field of Dreams could be named for 'Knucksie'

GAINESVILLE - Hall County commissioners are one step away from naming the new "Field of Dreams" facility for challenged young athletes at Alberta Banks Park near Flowery Branch.

Parks and Recreation Director Greg Walker said the name under consideration is well known around Hall County and the rest of the country.

"Mr. Phil Niekro has been very instrumental is getting people involved with this," Walker said.

Walker added The Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, who lives in south Hall County, was a driving force in the construction of the special needs facility. The formal vote on the name for the facility takes place Thursday.

Walker asked commissioners to approve Oct. 2 at 6 p.m. as a tentative time and date for the Field of Dreams Open House and Grand Opening.

Commissioners also approved Walker's request to appropriate $300,000 in impact fee revenue to subsidize the remaining cost to finish construction on the Field of Dreams, now 80 percent complete.

Walker explained that due to state budget shortfall concerns, the grant money to finish the project is on hold.

"When that grant comes in we can re-allocate it to impact fees to cover the cost," Walker said.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/8/212684