The Town of Trion is celebrating a major victory after securing a $75,000 grant from the Atlanta United Community Fund (AUCF) to build a brand-new soccer mini-pitch at the Trion Parks & Recreation Center. Trion was one of only ten recipients of the prestigious grant, a testament to the town’s commitment to providing recreational opportunities for its residents. The funding will be doubled thanks to the generous AtriumHealth Foundation, which is matching the AUCF grant, bringing the total project budget to $150,000.

This substantial investment will allow for the creation of a state-of-the-art facility at the Trion Parks and Recreation Department on Dalton Street. “This is fantastic,” said Trion Mayor Lanny Thomas. “We would not have had the financial ability to build this without the help of the Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation. I know we will get a lot of use out of this.” He further expressed his gratitude to both the AUCF and the AtriumHealth Foundation, stating the town is “excited about the grant and deeply appreciates” their support.

The AUCF is investing heavily in youth recreation, pledging $275,000 for the construction of three mini-fields: one for the YMCA of Rome and Floyd County, and one each for Rockmart and Trion. Adding to this commitment, the Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation will contribute approximately $325,000 to support the entire project. These new mini-pitches will be 104 feet by 60 feet and feature lighting, making them accessible for use throughout the day and evening.

Construction is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Rockmart’s pitch will be located at Hogue Avenue Park. The communities involved will be responsible for staffing and programming the fields, ensuring they are vibrant hubs for recreational activity and open for public use.

The Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation, with its focus on improving community health, particularly for youth, sees the mini-pitches as a vital asset. This project is part of the larger GA100 initiative, which aims to develop up to 100 mini-pitches in underserved areas throughout Georgia. Currently, 40 pitches are in operation, providing countless opportunities for children and adults to engage in healthy, active lifestyles.

The addition of Trion’s new mini-pitch will be a welcome asset to the community and contribute to the ongoing success of the GA100 initiative.