Growing access to rec sports

Winter Park’s young athletes could have a new artificial turf field to play on as part of a Rollins College development project in Martin Luther King Jr. Park – a move that could grow recreational sports in the city.

Rollins College presented the plan last Wednesday before the city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, which approved it on the grounds that both the college and the city could use the field.

This new artificial turf field would replace the college’s existing softball field, which will be relocated to an adjacent property.

“It could be a great thing,” said Parks and Recreation Department Director John Holland. “Anytime you add another field in any configuration, you’re promoting more youth sports, and hopefully it will be a win-win for us, Rollins and the kids.”

“That’s what we’re all about, get the kids on the fields.”

Residents would now have a fourth field for sporting events at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, giving the city more flexibility with scheduling youth recreational sports.

But before the project moves forward, the city and Rollins College have to negotiate several terms, including how the use of the softball field and new artificial turf field will be split between the public and the school’s teams.

The issue of funding is also being discussed, with the city and the college negotiating who will pay for the majority of the $5 million to $6 million project.

“Although it is a commonly held misconception that Rollins College has unlimited funds, that isn’t accurate,” said attorney Rebecca Wilson, who represented Rollins College at Wednesday’s meeting. “Our funds for athletic facilities are limited … so we’d like to continue those negotiations with city staff.”

Rollins College and City Manager Randy Knight have been discussing turning one of the existing fields into artificial turf as well.

The durable material would support rougher sports like lacrosse, which tears up fields and forces the city to them shut down to be restored over several months, Holland said.

“A few years ago when we had some lacrosse camps during the summer out on the fields, you can Google Earth the fields and see the damage,” Holland said. “We’ve learned how to deal with the damage and we’ve learned how to adjust, so if we got an artificial turf surface in here that would be a wonderful thing.”

Lacrosse teams being able to put the field through its paces seven days a week would grow the sport in the Orlando area, Holland said.

Holland pointed out that an artificial turf surface also means it can be used immediately after it rains, meaning more play time for youth sports.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for the city,” said Parks and Recreation Board Member Joel Roberts. “My kids use those fields all the time; they play lacrosse. At the end of the day, if we can have access to a new field and improve the existing fields, that’s a win-win for the kids.”

The project will be up for approval by the City Commission in August.