The state has released the $425,000 grant for construction of the planned sports complex on a tract off Hal Henard Road, according to an announcement Tuesday to the Park and Recreation Department Advisory Board.

Butch Patterson, Parks and Recreation director, told the board that he received notification by e-mail on Monday that the grant contract had been fully executed, meaning the $425,000 grant can now be spent for the project.

In June, the city and county governments approved a cooperative agreement for construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed Greeneville-Greene County Sports Complex.

Greeneville was awarded the $425,000 grant from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) in August 2008 to fund approximately half of a nearly $1 million sports complex that would be a joint venture of the city and county.

The proposed project includes initial development of two ball fields, a concession area and restrooms on property jointly owned by the town and county governments near the Greeneville-Greene County Center for Technology and the Greene County Tennis Center.

"We now have approval to move forward," Patterson told the board.

Board member Roger Woolsey urged the committee members elected to oversee the project to meet with David Weems, Greene County Road Superintendent, as soon as possible.

Weems heads the Greene County Highway Department, which will do the excavation and other site work for the project.

"He's ready to start," Woolsey told the board.

In other action, the board heard a report on the status of hiring someone to replace Charlie Rader, who retired earlier this year as the department's athletic director.

Patterson said he received 20 applications, which are being scored based on the applicants' education and work experience.

Board member Bill Isbell stressed the importance of having candidates who are from Greene County.

Board member Jack Blair said the position should be filled as soon as possible. "We can't function without that person," he said.

The board voted again to recommend Coca-Cola as the town's beverage vendor. Coca-Cola has been the town's vendor since it first entered such a contract in 1998.

In October, the board approved the Coca-Cola contract, but Recorder Jim Warner recommended a formal bidding process.

Work has started on the annual "Christmas in the Park" lighted displays at Hardin Park, Patterson said. The display will begin Dec. 5.

A group of Greeneville High School students have volunteered to help set up the displays, he said.

The board also briefly discussed fall sports programs and facilities.

It was announced that the dedication of the Coach J.J. Jones Memorial Park will be held at noon on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the former George Clem School building.