Ceremony marks start of program

Last week, lots of parents and grandparents, hundreds of fall youth sports participants ages 7 to 17 and their coaches, the Mayor and City Council, the North Myrtle Beach Recreation Commission and others gathered at the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex to mark the start of the 2019 fall youth sports program, which includes 27 teams with 560 people. Fall sports include tackle football, flag football, lacrosse, volleyball and soccer.

Mayor Marilyn Hatley welcomed all, thanking parents, volunteer coaches and team sponsors, and encouraged team participants to play to win but to always remember to have fun.

Pastor Josh Moss of Living Water Baptist Church gave the Invocation. The North Myrtle Beach

Public Safety Color Guard presented the Colors. Hannah Bienkoski sang the National Anthem.

During her welcome, Mayor Hatley also noted that the 162-acre park and sports complex is paid off, and that City Council recently purchased another 96 acres for future expansion. The expansion will include more playing fields and other amenities.

Since it opened in March 2014, the facility has generated more than $100 million in direct new revenue for the North Myrtle Beach economy.