What started more than 30 years ago with just a discussion by a County Commissioner became a reality on Sunday afternoon.

The Scotland County Parks and Recreation Department opened the soccer field at the James L. Morgan Recreation Complex. More than 500 parents and players were at the opening ceremony for the new complex.

County Commissioner Guy McCook presided over the ceremony, which started with a parade of the athletes. More than 395 children are signed up in the soccer program at the Scotland County Parks and Rec. this fall.

"The purpose of today's ceremony is to recognize the history of this project, coaches and players and those donors who helped us get here," McCook said.

McCook said that this project came true because of the community's support throughout the years.

"It's a sign of a kind of activity and support that our community is proud to be a part of," McCook said. "Whenever there is a need in our community, we pull together and answer that need and this complex is a demonstration of that."

"I think this complex gives soccer players a place to call home," McCook said. "It also gives them roots to allow them to grow, be stronger and involve children and families ... that is ultimately what this is all about."

Jim Morgan thinks the soccer complex at the James L. Morgan Recreation will help Scotland County in the future.

"It makes me feel really good for the future of Scotland County," Morgan said. "It also makes me feel proud for so many people who wanted this kind of thing [soccer complex] throughout the years in Scotland County."

Morgan also thinks the addition to the complex will put Scotland County on the map in the state for sports facilities.

"It really puts Scotland County in that upper echelon with other counties who have had this kind of thing for a few years, and it's something to be really proud of," he said.

In the future, the Morgan Foundation hopes to finish the complex with a concession stand with restrooms, put lights up around the complex, pave the parking areas, and do landscaping. The Morgan Foundation has raised more than $570, 000 for the additional needs for the complex.

"We need lights for the fields so we can do tournaments at night ... that's going to be a big deal," Morgan said. "We also want to have a concessions stand for the soccer fields themselves."

Morgan thinks the project is almost done.

"We are doing pretty good, its about 90 percent there, and it is an elite thing," he said. "This is something every resident in Scotland County can be really proud of.

The ceremony ended with all the donors for the complex behind a soccer ball. The donors shot the ball, for the ribbon cutting if you will.

The James L. Morgan Recreation Complex is located on Turnpike Road. Along with the soccer complex, the facility has a playground, a baseball and softball facility, and a splash pad for children.