Cranberry celebrates
CRANBERRY TWP — Smiling faces, colorful uniforms and proud parents were all a part of the sights and sounds Saturday morning to mark the opening of the Dick's Sporting Goods Sportsplex at Graham Park.
The baseball, soccer and lacrosse groups held their own welcoming events. The grand opening also highlighted the opening of the Miracle League field and its opening games.
Eugene "Gene" and Mary Louise "Dee" Graham were on hand to witness their family's farm for more than 200 years transformed into a youth sports complex that will play host to thousands of children.
The park, which runs along the eastbound lanes of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, was bought by the township from the Grahams in 2003 for $1.68 million.
The first phase of development for the complex includes three active field sports campuses: baseball/softball; football/lacrosse; and soccer.
There are 13 active sports fields in Graham Park. They include three football fields, four soccer fields, and six baseball/softball fields of different sizes.
As the opening ceremonies kicked off, the Seneca Valley Marching Band led the contingent of children from all of the township's athletic associations into the park to mark the start of the opening day festivities.
The threat of thunderstorms held off and the sun came out just as the celebration was about to begin.
"This is a tremendous occasion for the entire region," Dick Hadley, chairman of the township supervisors, told the crowd.
Assets like this, no one can pull off on their own, Hadley said.
Graham Park had strong partnerships with all of its athletic groups, sponsors, contractors and a host of volunteers.
Some of the partnerships Hadley pointed out included the township-based Mashuda Corp.'s $1 million donation of the earth moving work at the park, state Sen. Jane Orie, the Butler County commissioners, Armstrong Cable for providing free Wi-Fi service throughout the park and the Cranberry Community Uniting People charity softball/golf outing that threw its support behind the Miracle League field.Athletic groups — including the Cranberry Township Athletic Association (baseball/softball), Seneca Valley Junior Football Association and Seneca Valley Soccer Association — have pledged their financial support during the next decade.LaQuatra Bonci Associates created the design for Graham Park, while engineering services were supplied by Herbert, Rowland & Grubic Engineering and Partridge Venture Engineering. Ross Schonder Sterzinger Cupcheck was the architect and Repal Construction was the prime contractor in building the park. Cranberry's Public Works and Parks & Recreation departments provided support services throughout its development.Graham Park, which offers tournament-level facilities in all field sports, is expected to draw more than 350,000 players, visitors, and support staff from throughout the tri-state area each season.The park covers about 188 acres, with 115 acres bought by the township and 20 donated by BelleVue Park and 53 acres donated by the neighboring residential development, Park Place."Is this place sick or what? Do you believe we have all of this?" said Cranberry Township Athletic Association president Dan Porter in addressing all the youth baseball players on hand for the opening day ceremonies."It's such a beautiful park," said Colleen Wilson, a township resident representing Dick's Sporting Goods. The company pledged $2.2 million for the 10-year naming rights to the park.The total cost of building the first phase of Graham Park was $9.9 million.
