City-County Athletic Complex Executive Director Karl Swihart is pictured holding scissors at the ribbon cutting ceremony with members of Chamber of Commerce, CCAC, LSC (R.R. Donnelley) and Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

WARSAW — A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the City-County Athletic Complex in Warsaw Wednesday, Aug. 9, to celebrate the purchase of additional land.

In November 2016, the Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission approved a request by CCAC for a $100,000 grant toward purchasing land from R.R. Donnelley.

R.R. Donnelley was selling property located next to CCAC at that time, and CCAC was able to negotiate with RR Donnelley to obtain a reduced selling price of $5,500 per acre.

According to CCAC Executive Director Karl Swihart, ownership of the property means CCAC will be a partner in the community for many years and will continue to provide recreational activities for community members and visitors from outside the community.

“It also allows us opportunity for grants and other projects, utilizing the property as collateral,” Swihart explained, “Some of the projects that have been discussed are expanding the east concession building and restrooms and incorporating a second story observation deck. There is potential for a domed facility that could operate soccer, softball and baseball tournaments throughout the fall and winter. We have also discussed the potential for a splash pad that can be used by the public and visitors.”

Swihart continued, “We appreciate the lease agreement with the city and LSC (formerly RR Donnelley). Without their partnership and cooperation, the purchase would not have been possible.  We also want to thank all of the contributors to the purchase, especially K21 Foundation, Kosciusko County CVB Commission, Dane and Mary Louise Miller Foundation, Paragon Medical and several others.”