From The Editor: Sports Complex & Park Site Time To Have Your Say

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Written by Kim Thomas Sunday, 18 July 2010 21:37

June 2010

It seems that the problem of where to build a new multi-sports complex in Pasco County is quite complex. editor2But with approximately $11 million in funds available, it’s time for a decision to be made and residents are starting to demand, “Where is our park?” Currently there are three locations being discussed for a county park and a decision is forthcoming. Time is running out for residents to have their say and many have contacted us asking us to share information  about the choices available. The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners will meet on June 22nd, and a public hearing regarding where to build the proposed Sportsplex park is scheduled for June 23rd.

Discussions about building a park began back in February of 2008, when the Board of County Commissioners began reviewing the concept of a multi-purpose sports complex utilizing a private-public partnership that would be beneficial to the county, providing a superb place for league play, as well as providing a venue for the advancement and promotion of sports tourism to Pasco County, bringing in teams from not only Florida, but from other states as well, thereby giving a boost to our local economy. By November, 2008, Sportsplex USA was chosen to determine the feasibility of and location of such a facility and on April 22, 2009, Sportsplex USA presented the Tourist Development Council (TDC) their business projections for the proposed multi-purpose sports  complex. The TDC vote was unanimous to proceed with Sportsplex USA for a Consulting Services Agreement (CSA) for a fee of $300,000, which Sportsplex USA has since reduced to $270,000.

After a careful review of the area, Sportsplex USA chose the 25-acre parcel of property located just behind the Trinity Fire Station and Pasco County Sheriff substation on Trinity Blvd. This property was chosen for several reasons but a major factor is that it is essentially shovel-ready and could be built on right away. However, that property is near Heritage Springs and residents there opposed the decision at the BCC’s meeting on March 30th. More than 100  Heritage Springs residents showed up with red shirts stating, “Heritage Springs says NO to Sportsplex” and voiced concerns over noise, traffic and lights. The County Commissioners, who had previously voted 4-1 to build on the site, revoked their decision.

However, while some in Heritage Springs oppose Sportsplex altogether, many in the Trinity area want the park built and they want it now. The positives  about having a private company such as Sportsplex is that it will maintain the park, pay the expenses on the park, pay the county a portion of the profits, AND it will bring in tourism dollars, which businesses in the area will gladly welcome.

What Trinity Needs To Know “An active park has been promised,” says Shawn Foster, District Director for Gus Bilirakis. Foster says that for the past 14  years, the county has been collecting impact fees and tourism tax, which now adds up to more than $11 million and more than $2 million comes from Trinity residents. “Trinity deserves what it was promised back in 1996,” says Foster. “We feel that in all fairness Trinity has paid for and deserves an active park.”
Foster expresses concern that without an outside entity such as Sportsplex USA, the county won’t be able to afford to operate an active park. But that won’t be an issue if Sportsplex is involved.

The county required the developer of the Trinity Communities to set aside land for a park and the cost of that land was added into the lot prices of homes. So, our residents have already paid for land to have a park.

Lew Friedman, President of Adam Smith Enterprises, Inc., developers of Trinity Communities, says that as soon as the BCC revoked the decision to build behind the fire station, he offered another prime location, near the cemetery on SR 54. Friedman says the parcel is 30 acres and also is ready to be built on, with proper drainage and areas already set aside for animal habitats. “This site is 1400 feet from the closest home in Heritage Springs and there will be no traffic on Trinity Blvd.” says Friedman. “We’ve done all the work and we would beat any other site by at least one year just for permitting. Whether or not our site is chosen for Sportsplex, we still want an active park built in Trinity. The county owes us that.”

Frank Starkey of Starkey Ranch also has acreage that is available to the county for the building of Sportsplex, 40 acres, as well as an additional 40 acres that  the county can purchase for $1 million, making it an 80-acre regional park. “Sportsplex will only take up 25-30 acres,” says Starkey. “The rest would be  ‘regular’ park facilities.” The Starkey property proposes additional ball fields as well as passive park areas.

The other property being considered is Mitchell Ranch property and includes a 40-acre tract just behind The Medical Center of Trinity. Access will be from SR 54 and will be routed around the hospital.

The map shown gives the approximate locations of all three properties being considered. If you’d like to voice your opinion, you can do so with a short, friendly email to your county commissioners. Their email addresses are: Ted Schrader: tschrader@ pascocountyfl.net; Pat Mulieri: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Ann Hildebrand: commissioners@ pascocountyfl.net; Michael Cox: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; and Jack Mariano: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You also may want to attend the public hearing on June 23, at 6 p.m. in the Board Room on the 1st floor of the West Pasco Government Center, located at 7530 Little Rd. in NPR.