BELLE — OutKast Sports Complex construction manager Jimmy Zumwalt, owner of Mid-State Pipeline, said Feb. 16 that the project is moving forward in the design phase and needs to be approved to tie into the city’s water and sewer infrastructure.

“Everything is moving forward,” Zumwalt said. “I have done the preliminary review of all civil engineering drawings. I made some adjustments and they went back to clean them up. I should have the drawings in a day or two.”

As soon as the design phase is done, Zumwalt said he needs the city’s approval to move forward with adding the project to its infrastructure. However, a hearing on Feb. 12 prior to the Belle Board of Aldermen meeting meant to encourage public opinion about the project resulted in the board passing the first reading of the annexation Ordinance 630 with a 3-0 vote, but withholding final approval.

A second reading and vote may take place after Mayor Pro Tem James (Pudd) Mitchell is able to answer the general public’s questions brought to the board’s attention last week.

“Before we can move forward with it, we have to be annexed in and tie on with water and sewer at the ambulance shed,” Zumwalt said. “If we get more money (Rep. Bennie Cook) is trying to get for more infrastructure, we would try to repair some of the water lines running under railroad.”

During the last meeting, the general public was concerned that adding the 181 x 200 building would overload infrastructure. The board was unable to answer question regarding the number of bathrooms would be on site. Amanda Butler with OutKast Sports also attempted to explain the project. Zumwalt, who was told he would not be needed during the hearing, said the building isn’t expected to add a big load to the infrastructure system.

“There will be water and toilets and a concession stand with a full kitchen and bathrooms,” Zumwalt said. “That is all we would be using. The bathrooms will be like six stools.”

Zumwalt said the number of stools is the same as other facilities of similar size.

“We’re not gonna spend tens of thousands on restrooms,” he said. “We may have to look at the lift station down there and may have to put a bigger one in. Until it is annexed, we can’t look at that.”

The 36,200-square-foot building is not expected to include a swimming pool, showers, or any outdoor facilities.

“The fields are right behind this building, like a clover leaf,” Zumwalt said. “Bathrooms are right at the edge. They will be no further than walking across Walmart.”

Updates on the OutKast Sports Complex project will be posted to its Facebook page OutKast Baseball.