When there are a lot of ball games going on at the Bill Reynolds Sports Complex, more than half of the people there end up parking on dirt than asphalt.

The Bainbridge-Decatur County Recreation Authority voted to change that at a special called meeting Tuesday night.

Construction was unanimously voted to immediately begin covering the large dirt parking lot at the sports complex with asphalt, complete with curbing. Entrances into the parking lot will be along Hubert Dollar Drive and Cox Avenue.

City of Bainbridge workers are preparing the plot of land for asphalt now.

Recreation Authority Executive Director Al Kelley said the project is expected to be done toward the end of June.

“I see no reason they shouldn’t be by then,” Kelley said, barring significant rain holding up the project.

Costs are estimated to be around $125,000, with up to $90,000 going toward the asphalt and the remainder used for curbing.

The Recreation Authority will also lay sod along the islands in the parking lot that is currently paved. Residents are known to drive over the island as it stands now, as there is no curb to prevent them. Hopefully, the grass will deter drivers from doing that and increase the aesthetic appeal of the sports complex.

“I think it will attract more events to the area and hopefully draw in some additional revenue with the parking, new changes that we are contemplating making will make it more user friendly,” said Tynese Butler, a Recreation Authority member. “It’s much better than having the dirt parking lot.”