The Brooks recreation department was allocated 12 and a half acres of land behind where the new firehouse is being built in Brooks. David Haynie, President of the Brooks recreation committee and this project, asked the parents to "tell us what you want." What they want and ultimately will get is an incredible sports complex of recreation fields. There will be a football field with a press box and a concession stand. Surrounding the football field will be a walking trail with fitness stations built along the paths. There will be a full-sized outdoor basketball court, a playground and picnic area and volleyball and tennis courts.

The parents and children of Brooks have been asking for something like this for years, simply a place to play. The football team, playing in the South Metro league, has played it's home games at Whitewater Middle School. "It's a great facility but it's not home," Haynie explains. They had scouted a number of areas in Brooks but this project just wasn't feasible elsewhere . The city then suggested the area behind the new firestation. Currently, the land is just an open field but there will be a rough grade done in the next few weeks, followed by a finished grade.

"The county is paving local parks with money from a grant. If the grading can be done soon enough, we may catch a break and have the paving done,"Haynie says. He is appreciative of the support the city and county have given the recreation program of Brooks. The city apportions a budget for the receation department each year and they have a small amount of funds to work with as well, but a majority of the project will be completed by the hands and hearts of the people of Brooks.

"We've been promised help on certain aspects of development when the project is ready," Haynie says. There will be a need for expertise and help in the carpentry, electrical and plumbing portions of the project. Dozens of volunteers are ready if there is someone with the knowledge to guide them.

Haynie says that this will be the biggest undertaking the recreation department has ever faced. "You set your goals and it is a challenge to reach them. It will be a lot of fun." To raise money for the project, the recreation department plans to sell commerative Coke bottles, celebrating the 181st birthday of the city. Brooks is scheduled to host the South Metro football jamboree late next August and they are hoping that at least the football field will be finished by that time.

" I remember when I was growing up and playing ball," Haynie recalls "I just want to give the kids the same type of positive experience that I got." This project needs a lot of help. If you are willing to donate money, time or knowledge you can contact David Haynie at 461-0303.

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