The Patrick Springs Park building – former base of operations for the Patrick Springs Ruritan Club’s soup kitchen—is undergoing a face-lift, with an eye toward hosting the Virginia Dixie Youth Baseball District Tournament in 2018.

Last October, the soup kitchen moved to a Tudor Orchard Road home, owned by Mayo River District Supervisor Lock Boyce, following a 3-2 vote by the Patrick County Board of Supervisors to evict.

The board’s vote came on the heels of a letter from the Patrick Springs Parks and Recreation Committee asking the operation to vacate the building by September 1 so that the facility could better accommodate sports, recreational activities and other events.

Mark Trent, president of Patrick Springs Park Committee, said work on the building and grounds began in September when the committee first organized a Bingo fund-raiser and began selling advertising spots for the ball-field wall.

So far, volunteers have cleaned and had the building power-washed, taken down the rusty playground equipment, and made an improvement to the baseball field. New playground equipment is scheduled to arrive this month.

Paint has been ordered, and volunteers are lined up to help, Trent continued. After this round of renovations, the committee will go back into “fund-raising mode” before making additional improvements, he said.

The Virginia Dixie Youth District Tournament will be held in Montgomery County this year, Trent said.

“The whole recreation board would like to thank all the businesses that have helped and bought signs,” Trent said, “and thank others who helped with the Bingo. We thank everyone who helped for their support.”

Trent said a few advertising spots are still available. The facility remains available for rent for $50 per day, and the entire park for $150 per day.

-Angela H. Hill