Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Prescott's new sports facility dedicated part 1

Prescott's new sports arena, dubbed "Little Bud", is a showplace.

The new facility, which can hardly just be called a gymnasium, was officially dedicated Friday, Jan. 4, with about 200 in attendance.

The new facility, along with housing the gym, is also the field house for the Curley Wolf football team, and includes a weight room.

State and local dignitaries were on hand for the dedication ceremonies, all saying "Little Bud" was built for the students of today and the future, and will also be used for community events.

The ceremony began with Mary Godwin, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, welcoming everyone.

She said the facility shows what can happen with a school district and community work together.

Karen McLelland, Chamber president, said the sports arena is dream become reality, and everyone in Prescott should be proud of it, respect it and hold it in a place of honor.

The arena, she said, will benefit the entire community, as Prescott can now bid on regional and state basketball tournaments. The Prescott School District will be hosting the district tournament at the conclusion of the regular season.

These tournaments, McLelland said, will bring people to Prescott. These people will, in turn, spend money thereby helping the local economy.

The facility, she continued, will also help attract new industry to the area, as industrial prospects always inquire about the educational facilities.

The arena, she said, began with the vision of the school board, with the faculty and staff coming together, working with the community to make the dream a reality.

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor followed, saying there were two groups who needed to be recognized for the new facility's existence  the school district and citizens of Prescott.

"The citizens," he said, "should be commended for their dedication to the school in passing a millage. They realize the school is an asset to the community."

Miss Arkansas, Jessie Ward, a graduate of Prescott High School, told how she met a man at the Cotton Bowl who recognized her.

When she told him she was from Prescott, he knew about the Curley Wolves, their history and tradition, though he lived in Texas.

"As I travel the state," Ward said, "I find people like him. Everyone knows what the Curley Wolves are, and their story."

Ward said she's proud to be from Prescott, telling everyone this is her home. "I've been to a lot of communities, and compare them to Prescott. All of them are proud of something and have their strengths. We are proud of our sports and athletes. This is a fantastic facility, and I'm honored to have a place in the trophy case for my Miss Arkansas memorabilia."

State Sen. Percy Malone said the water tower in Arkadelphia has a message on it stating Arkadelphia is a great place to live.

This sign, he said, should be moved to Prescott, because it's a great place to live.

"You have a lot to be proud of. You keep getting it right," he said. This investment is a tremendous opportunity as a recruiting tool for more and better paying jobs.

"The new generation wants more opportunities for recreation close to home, and this (facility) is more important than you might think. I applaud you for doing things to support the young and education."

State Rep. Sandra Rodgers talked about playing Prescott when she played basketball at Laneburg, along with how her son attended Prescott schools until he was in the ninth grade.

Rodgers was instrumental with getting the pee wee basketball league in Prescott started, saying physical education is important.

Prescott, she said, has always been in the forefront when it comes to encouraging young people in athletics and education.