Dream Becomes Reality w/Ribbon Cutting for Sports Complex

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Published on September 17 2016 4:01 pm
Last Updated on September 17 2016 4:06 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

(THE GROUP THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE RIBBON-CUTTING FORMALLY DEDICATING THE RICHARD E. WORKMAN SPORTS AND WELLNESS COMPLEX)

Dr. Rick Workman and local entrepreneur Hank Stephens will tell you the story of when they were selling Christmas trees as a service club fundraising project about 1980. That is when they first discussed the need for a sports complex for Effingham.

In 2016, the dream became reality with a ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opening the Richard E. Workman Sports and Wellness Complex.

(DR. RICHARD WORKMAN)

Several other young people just getting their starts in business and industry shared the dream at the beginning and many were still part of the project at its completion. Effingham Park Board President David McDevitt acknowledged Saturday that in his more than 20 years on the Board, a sports complex has been discussed almost every one of those years. Dean Bingham of Agracel, Incorporated was also an early backer of the idea and he and McDevitt have stayed involved.

(EFFINGHAM PARK BOARD PRESIDENT DAVID McDEVITT)

The key, and several mentioned it at Saturday's ceremony, was the contribution of more than $5 million by Workman and wife Angie. That initial major gift was the jumpstart the project needed. Another $4 million was raised in private contributions. Effingham County Community Foundation Executive Director Joedy Hightower said there have been many contributors to the Foundation, which is the agency that handled the funding for the project, but said 16 individuals and groups supplied 90% of that amount.

(EFFINGHAM COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOEDY HIGHTOWER)

Dr. Workman, Hightower, McDevitt and Effingham Mayor Jeff Bloemker were the speakers at the ribbon-cutting. The mayor said he identifies with the project's benefits in that he is one of the first members there each weekday morning for his workout, so knows first-hand how it helps. McDevitt and Workman reviewed some dark days for the project, with Workman sharing that there were "three different times when this project was as dead as a hammer".

Perseverance prevailed, though, and now the complex is a reality.

(EFFINGHAM MAYOR JEFF BLOEMKER)

Dr. Workman grew reflective in his remarks, choking up as he thanked his wife for supporting him in his vision for the project and said he hopes his children will one day in adulthood take a plunge in the pools at the complex. He also thanked his parents for their support but also for the way he was raised that he says is a key to any success he's had.

A group that included those who worked on the fundraising for the complex, Park Board members, project architect and Effingham native Greg Grunloh and members of the Workman family participated in the ribbon-cutting with Rick and Angie's daughters doing the actual cutting of the ribbon.