Bakersfield College’s Dean and Adah Gay Sports Complex opened Feb. 4 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that included speeches honoring the Gay family and their commitments to BC and the Kern County community.
After several delays in 2009, the renovations to the baseball and softball fields have been completed. Included in the new additions were updates to the seating areas and field conditions as well as adding new handicap access routes.
Among the evening’s presenters were City of Bakersfield Mayor Harvey Hall as well as David Gay, who spoke on behalf his parents Dean and Adah Gay on how they loved BC and the Kern County community. Also presenting was BC president Greg Chamberlain, baseball coach Tim Painton and softball coach Sandi Taylor.
“This is a special day for our community and BC and to recognize a family that has created a legacy,” said Hall as he spoke on Dean and Adah Gay’s contributions.
“These two special people loved Bakersfield and BC,” said Painton about Dean and Adah Gay. He also thanked the teams for their efforts in the completion of the new fields and how it will be a “tremendous opportunity” to play in the new facilities.
“This field really is a field of dreams,” said Taylor during her speech.
Players also commented on the field’s conditions, how it compares to other fields and what it means for the competition.
“I think it’s amazing,” said Brittany Hunt, 19, softball outfielder and physical education major. “No community college can ever beat our field.”
“[The field] makes us want to go out and do our best and get the win, show everyone what we’re about,” said baseball pitcher Jared Lewis, 18, undeclared.
Chamberlain talked about how the facilities will be better for the players because BC will be able to host more games at home so the teams won’t have to travel as much. He also discussed how the facility is good for students by giving them an opportunity to take pride in their community.
The evening also honored past alumni who came out to share in the celebration.
Former players from the men’s baseball and women’s softball teams were on hand to be recognized before the games started that evening.
The Dean and Adah Gay Sports Complex is located on the BC campus near the corner of Haley Street and University Avenue.