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Highlands Today

New Concessionaire, Memorial Planned At Sports Complex

PLAYGROUND ALSO ON WISH LIST

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By Jim  Konkoly | Highlands Today

Published: May 19, 2008

Updated: 05/21/2008 09:25 am

SEBRING — Two changes to the Highlands County Sports Complex are in the works and a third is planned but as of yet unfunded.

On Saturday, Gordon and Mary Delp, whose specialty was their Philly cheeseteak at their former restaurant on South Commerce Avenue, will open up Park Place Snackbar & Grill at the sports complex.

The Delps signed a one-year lease, with an option to renew it for up to four years, with the county to prepare and sell food at the sports complex.

From July of 2005 to September of 2006, the Delps, both natives of Philadelphia, ran their the Philly Grille near the Highlands County Courthouse.

Meanwhile, county parks and recreation department officials are accepting donations for a memorial to John Grill, a longtime softball player in this area who was said to be instrumental in the county building the $3.5 million sports complex.

Grill, who passed away at age 67, lived in Avon Park and was known for his support of youth sports in Avon Park and his involvement with adult softball leagues. Grille, a Navy veteran, was a member of the county's Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee.

In his role as an RPAC member, Grill was credited with championing the construction of a first-class county sports facility that includes five tournament quality softball fields plus facilities for soccer and youth football.

Rocky Ellingsworth, manager of the sports complex, said planning has begun to build a memorial to Grill at the sports complex.

"We're looking to do a memorial for John Grill but we haven't decided yet on what it will be," Ellingsworth said. "It could be shading for the bleachers or a fountain or a flag pole or possibly a plaque.

"While we're not sure what form it will take yet," he added, "people are donating to the fund for this memorial."

Donations can be made by contacting Highlands Independent Bank or the county parks and recreation department.

Meanwhile, Ellingsworth said, once the John Grill memorial is finished he will look into possible fundraising to build a children's playground near the softball fields.

Many players and spectators bring young children to the games and right now they are playing near the ballfields.

Because foul balls can drop on the children, who sometimes run near where ball players are throwing balls or swinging bats, a separate playground would be a a safety feature and great addition to the facilities, Ellingsworth said.

The playground would be enclosed and have netting across the top to stop foul balls from falling on the children. Ellingsworth said a similar netted playground at a softball complex out of the county cost about $50,000.

Because the county faces a tight budget, no funds are available for the playground, which is in the long-range plans of the sports complex.

Ellingsworth said he may ask service clubs to help fund the playground, but he won't be making any appeals in the near future.

"Right now I'm not in position to approach anyone about funding a playground, because that would put too much on our plate," he said. "Right now we're concentrating on the memorial for John Grille. We need to prioritize and take care of one project at a time."

Saturday's opening of the Delps' Park Place Snackbar and Grill, on the first story of the octagonal building at the center of the five ballfields, will feature Gordon Delp's signature Philly cheesesteak.
Delp was a cook during his 20 years in the Navy, serving as a cook for 10 years aboard ships and another 10 years in Navy clubs.

"I've cooked anywhere from several thousand meals a day down to 50 meals a day," he said of his experiences in the Navy.

Delp's Navy career included three years in Vietnam, several years aboard the USS Oxford, a top-secret communications ship that patrolled the southern Atlantic Ocean, and three years aboard the USS Noxubee, a gasoline tanker that operated out of Hawaii.

Delp said he jumped at the chance when he found out the county was looking for a person to run food concessions at the sports complex.

"This gives me an opportunity to bring my Philly cheesesteak back," he said.

The Delp's snack bar and grill will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6-9 p.m. for the local softball league games, and on Saturdays when there are tournaments.

The snackbar and grill also will be open whenever there are softball, soccer, youth football or other activities at the sports complex.

"Any time there's anything going on here, I plan to be open," Delp said.

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