City of Darlington Cuts Ribbon to Blue St. Sports Complex

DARLINGTON, S.C. (April 15, 2025) – The City of Darlington and Darlington Area Recreation Department recently cut the ribbon to the highly anticipated Blue St. Sports Complex.

The project, which consists of five recreational ballfields, as well as two fields and a tennis court for Darlington High School, was nearly a $9 million project. On Saturday, the Darlington community came together to celebrate the new facility with a ceremony that honored current and former Little League players, as well as everyone who helped turn the dream into a reality.

“This project has been in the works for three decades,” Mayor Curtis Boyd said. “We are all very excited to see the new complex. Our youth here in Darlington deserved this massive upgrade. They were playing on the same fields I played on 50 years ago, but now, they have a state-of-the-art facility that will bring joy and teach them the fundamentals of sports. Who knows? Maybe another local star will reach the Major Leagues just like Orlando Hudson did.”

Former MLB player and Darlington native, Orlando Hudson threw out the ceremonial pitch. Hudson grew up playing on the old fields before being picked in the 43rd Round of the MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1997. In addition to the Blue Jays, throughout 2002 and 2012, Hudson played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox. The fundamental lessons he learned on Blue St. helped craft his skillsets for a successful career in the MLB.

“It’s a blessing,” Hudson said. “It has been a long time coming. The place is beautiful. Our own kids don’t have to leave to go anywhere now. We’re getting to have our own travel ball tournaments, softball tournaments, tennis tournaments, but the place is beautiful. I’m loving it. It’s a joy for these kids to have something like this to play on. When I played, we just had three fields, and it was a blessing to us because it’s all we ever knew, so now to see this beautiful complex, I love it.”

City Manager Lenessa Hawkins cut the ribbon to the complex, and she was accompanied by Mayor Boyd and City Council, Rep. Robert Williams, Honorable Gerald Malloy, Hudson, Little League District Administrator Dr. Jennifer Hooks, former City Manager John Payne and former Mayors Gloria Hines and Tony Watkins. Attendees were treated to food trucks, vendors and a concert by the Next Level Band of Charlotte as well.

A Squared Investments, which is owned by Darlington native, Aubrey Mckay, has signed a five-year contract to serve as the presenting sponsor for the complex which moving forward, will be called the City of Darlington’s A Squared Investments Sports Complex. MPD Electric Cooperative is sponsoring two fields for five years. Three fields are still available for sponsorship. Kirven Construction and NUCOR Steel are serving as homerun sponsors.

Teams have already begun playing on the new fields. Roderick RJ Watts, who plays for Carolina Banks’ team, hit the first homerun, and in thrilling fashion, the knock was a grand slam.

For more information on the City of Darlington, visit cityofdarlington.com or call 843-398-4000.