By Paige Nash
Ground has been broken and construction has begun on the Minden High School Lady Tiders new softball complex. Don M. Barron Contractor Inc. out of Farmerville was awarded the bid in August and started on the project almost immediately.
Minden High School Head Softball Coach Shelby Leach said, “Our new complex is going to be completely turf. We’re really excited about this. That will eliminate major work on the field for the coaching staff and players. It will also help with rainouts.”
With all the new additions and improvements, the estimated cost of the athletic facility is projected to be $3,067,500 with an Alternate #1 amount of $309,000.
“The entire complex is going to be state of the art. The architects have done an amazing job. We will have a large locker room on the backside of our dugout with coaches’ office. We’ll have our own covered cages along with a building for equipment,” said Leach.
Last year the softball team made it to the second round of playoffs with a number four seat in the 4A bracket.
Leach said, “At one point we were ranked as number one. I was so pleased with our production last year.”
The school held try-outs and solidified the new 2022-2023 team in June. Coach Leach along with the players are looking to go even further this upcoming season.
“This year, we’ve added several girls from Webster Junior High that will step in an immediately to be playmakers. Our girls are working hard right now in the weight room and in individual workouts with coaches. I look forward to building on last year’s success,” said Leach.
The projected completion date for the Lady Tiders softball field is July 2023.
