CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – A huge piece of land just off State Road 16 in Clay County looks like 250 miles of opportunity.
Construction has only just begun, but the site will be home to the county’s new multi-regional sports complex.
Clay County Parks and Recreation Director Justin Pierce said this sports complex will be a game changer for Clay County and Northeast Florida.
“People are moving to Clay County and they want to do things, visit places and attend events,” he said. “These amenities that we want to add will be able to serve the residents who are looking for that quality of life and activities.”
Last week, the district celebrated a special groundbreaking ceremony to mark the occasion.
According to Pierce, the entire project will be divided into several phases. Upon completion of the first phase of the project, there will be sidewalks, walking trails, fish ponds, a memorial sign, 350 parking spaces, and eight multipurpose fields.
Sports such as soccer, lacrosse, soccer and more can be practiced on the fields.
15 acres of field area alone will allow the county to host major events and host large-scale tournaments, Pierce said. He said it will raise Clay’s athletic profile in a way never seen before.
Rendering of the first phase (WJXT)
“Now when building a sports complex of this magnitude and scale, you’re talking about bringing in people from Georgia, central or south Florida, northwest Florida, even Alabama,” Pierce said. “It just makes us very competitive and gives us an opportunity to attract these large scale tournaments that are going to bring people to Clay County.”
Once phase one is complete, Pierce said there will be many more to come.
“A potential indoor facility, playgrounds, a skate park, pickleball courts, tennis courts,” he said. “While we secure additional grants or other funding sources, we will continue to advance the development of the entire 250 acres.”
The county says phase one will cost just over $7 million. Construction is due to be completed by November, and the park is scheduled to open to the public next spring.
Copyright 2023 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
Comments are closed.