MANATEE — Construction is slated to start March 11 on long-delayed Palmetto Little League ballfields, officials said Tuesday.

With necessary permits finally in hand, Manatee County Administrator Ed Hunzeker was able to set the date for the start of the $3.3 million ballfield project at Blackstone Park.

When he told county commissioners of the start date, they were jubilant.

Completion of construction is slated for fall 2014.

Plans call for three, regulation-sized Little League ballfields; a parking lot; a press box; concession building; bleachers; sidewalks and lighting at Blackstone Field, east and north of existing Blackstone Park softball fields. The ballfields will be used by the Palmetto Little League, which was displaced from its playing fields a few years ago.

The ballfields were eliminated after the city sold the land to the Manatee County School Board for the construction of a new Palmetto Elementary School.