BULLARD — Brook Hill school officials broke ground on a new softball complex during a ceremony Monday on the Brook Hill School campus.

The field is being constructed thanks to a donation by Clarence and Corene Schwab.

The $700,000 donation this summer was earmarked for building a new softball complex on the Brook Hill campus, and the administration let its thanks known at the ceremony.

Rod Fletcher, Brook Hill headmaster, opened the ceremony with thanks to the Schwabs for “intentionally helping Brook Hill with their blessings from the Lord.”

Brook Hill founder Steve Dement also thanked the family. 

“We are extremely pleased that the Schwabs have chosen to share their gifts with Brook Hill,” Dement said. “This will take our girl’s athletic program to a high level and we can do all of that while honoring God.”

The complex, located adjacent to the baseball field, will feature a new field, concession stand, covered picnic tables, a plaza connecting to the existing baseball area, restrooms and an extension to the current batting cages.

The school also has plans to place a new middle school field behind the softball field.

“We believe this gift is going to be a tremendous benefit to the girl’s softball team,” Brook Hill athletic director Wally Dawkins said. “It’s going to affect all our girl’s athletic programs.”

Dawkins said when the school first spoke with the Schwabs, there was talk of improving the current field, but that soon changed into the thought of a new facility.

“I believe (this gift) will pick up their spirits,” Clarence Schwab said. “This will give them a first class type operation and I think this facility will help a lot of different generations.”

Schwab said he and his wife, who were presented with a team helmet and roses during the event, are frequent visitors to all Brook Hill athletic events.

The couple’s granddaughter, Desarae Rowan, is a member of the softball team and will be a sophomore at Brook Hill.

“I’m proud to be able to contribute,” he said. “The administration is very supportive and the team has a very dedicated coach.”

Brook Hill softball coach Anthony Springer, who is about to start his second year with the team, said the field will not only be for Brook Hill’s softball team, but for tournaments and other events throughout each year.

“This facility will be state of the art,” Springer said. “It’s truly going to be a field of dreams.”

The complex is scheduled to be completed in February in time for softball season.