Just before kickoff of its 2024 football season, Bradwell Institute leaders and Liberty County School System officials eagerly cut the ribbon on the school’s new playing surface.

The new artificial field turf replaces the grass that has been Olvey Field/ Hokey Jackson Stadium’s playing surface since Olvey Field was built. But the new $1.43 million surface doesn’t have to be repainted, nor cut, nor watered again. Proceeds from the education special purpose local option sales tax funded the new field.

“It is our pleasure to have you see this state of the art, amazing football field and stadium,” school board Chair Verdell Jones said. “We can’t tell the citizens of Liberty County thank you enough.”

Jones also praised the work of current and past school board members “who worked so hard to make sure our children have the best.”

“This is beautiful,” she said. “It is nothing short of amazing.”

Bradwell junior soccer player Ranisha Okwabi said the students also are glad to have the backing of the community and the school system.

“We thank you all for the vision and commitment to helping our school grounds look nicer,” she said. “Not only is it a representation of our school but it is also a big symbol showing the true dedication our community has for us students here at Bradwell Institute.”

Superintendent Dr. Franklin Perry also offered his gratitude to the community for its support of ESPLOST and the school system, enabling such improvements as the new field at Olvey and the new field and track being installed at Liberty County High School.

“I just appreciate Liberty County for making sure our children have everything they need,” he said.

Ed Edwards, son of late longtime schools superintendent Edgar Edwards, for whom Bradwell’s fieldhouse is named, was on hand, as was Robert Darby, another staunch Bradwell fan and friend of the late Hokey Jackson, whose name is on the stadium.