VIDALIA — Construction on Vidalia’s new recreation center is ahead of schedule, but there’s one thing stopping it from opening early — sod.

While the construction of the facility is ahead of schedule, the sod for all the fields won’t be put down until March.

Recreation Commission Chair Marc Archer said the commission never expected the construction to be far enough ahead to begin laying sod in November, the last window they had until March.

“The whole thing was planned around some weather delays, which fortunately we haven’t had,” Archer said. “Now we wish we would have went back and put it in, but you do that last so even if the fields are done in February you can’t play on them until it’s ready.”

Despite the sod delay, construction continues on the $6.5 million recreation complex.

The tennis court surfaces are completed and ball fields are next on the list.

“We’ve got all the infrastructure done and that’s what takes a lot of time,” Archer said. “The complex will be built, but it won’t open until the sod is grown in.”

Archer said the more the complex comes together, the more pride he takes in the facilities.

“I called my wife and told her that I knew it was going to be impressive and be a super-nice thing, but I didn’t realize how impressive and nice it would be until you see it going up,” Archer said. “It’s nicer than I ever dreamed it would be.”

Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland said the complex is a great asset to the community.

“We think it’s going to be a tremendous plus for the town by bringing new people, businesses and tournaments to the area,” Copeland said. “We know it’s one of the biggest projects as far as Vidalia is concerned and we’re all just very excited about it.”

Copeland said he hopes the complex will create opportunities for the entire Miss-Lou.

“We’ll work hand in hand with our Natchez neighbors,” Copeland said.