FRANKLIN
Ground was ceremoniously broken on Friday morning for the renovation of the ball field at Paul D. Camp Community College.

With shovels in hand were Hurricanes Head Coach David Mitchell, President Dan Lufkin, Virginia Community College Chancellor Glenn DuBois, Heartland Construction Vice President Leonard Provost Jr., PDC Operations Manager Phillip Bradshaw, Franklin Mayor Frank Rabil, President of the local Board of Directors June Fleming and Chairman of the college Foundation Board Martha Russ.

Provost said work on the field will begin within a week or two, and is expected to be completed within 90 days.

Mitchell pointed out that a 20-feet high fence stretching 200 feet will be constructed at the left field to keep balls from flying over onto cars parked at the Regional Workforce Development Center, which is located next door. There will be new sod laid down, concrete dugouts, a press box, concession stand and, where the tennis courts are located, a batting cage will be established.

“There’s a big buzz around town [about the college],” said Lufkin, noting that more students are coming to PDC and are also looking forward to playing ball.”

But he wanted to emphasize that the college is “not just about athletics. Our mission is academics.”

To underscore his words, the president pointed to the Workforce Center where the inaugural Student Leadership Conference was taking place.

In fact, he and DuBois had taken a short break from the program to participate in the ceremony.

“Engage. Educate. Empower” was the conference theme. Topics included leadership, entrepreneurship, civic engagement and team-building.