A $15,000 grant has afforded a group of W.S. Neal High School baseball officials the opportunity to see significant upgrades to the grounds and facility — thanks to the Gulf Coast Resource Conservation and Development Council officials.

Raymond Wiggins, chairman of the RC&D council and Frank Nalty, secretary/treasurer of the council said the funds were provided as a way to help the community and the children who utilize the facility.

“We’re here for the community,” Nalty said. “This is now an excellent facility for the children to learn in and that will help the community. We realize that the youth are our future and we need to do our part to help groom them.”

Wiggins said the RC&D funds were just part of a big effort to see the changes, improvements and additions at the W.S. Neal High School baseball complex.

“These funds from RC&D help tremendously in the community,” Wiggins said. “With the help of the Diamond Club, the coaches and the Escambia County Board of Education, this facility has been upgraded and improved to be a benefit to the students here and for the community for years to come.”

WSN Baseball Coach Coy Campbell said the changes at the complex will have a big impact on the way games are played and hosted in the future.

“We certainly appreciate all the help and assistance we have been given from the grant,” Campbell said. “The improvements were certainly needed and when you lok around now, yu can see this is one of the nicest facilities in South Alabama. We are very thankful.”