JACKSONVILLE (www.sportsdayjax.com) – The St. Johns County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously, 5-0, on Tuesday, July 18, to pursue a possible public-private partnership with JAXUSL, the group bringing men’s and women’s professional soccer to Northeast Florida, to develop a proposed 15-field community sportsplex and professional training site in Northern St. Johns County.
During the Board of Commissioners meeting, JAXUSL President & CEO Steve Livingstone shared renderings and proposed a public-private partnership with St. Johns County to help fund, build and operate the estimated $30 million facility.
The proposed community sportsplex, located off County Road 16A, forms part of the county’s current Four Parks Master Plan Project and would feature up to nine natural grass soccer fields, five multi-purpose synthetic turf fields (soccer, baseball, lacrosse), one pro turf soccer field, and an eight-lane athletics track and mini stadium suitable for Special Olympics and regional events with bleacher seating for up to 3,000 spectators.
The multi-use site would also be home to the professional soccer clubs training headquarters.
JAXUSL President and CEO Steve Livingstone said, “We’re excited to have the opportunity to work with St. Johns County on what could be a transformational sports project for Northeast Florida. In addition to providing and enhancing a significant community sports facility and resource for residents, area schools and youth clubs in the county, we also envision the facility could become a home for our JAXUSL professional soccer teams. By supporting the operation of the facilities in conjunction with St. Johns County Parks & Recreation, we also see a huge opportunity to attract regional and national youth sports tournaments and other professional sports tourism opportunities, which would greatly benefit the St. Johns County economy.”
JAXUSL’s proposal for the sportsplex includes full community access to the fields and park facilities, which would also include walking trails, playground and picnic areas, a pavilion, concessions and public parking. The facility would bring much-needed sports fields to St. Johns County, which could be accessed by all area youth sports clubs, schools and Police Athletic Leagues (PAL) as well as local residents.
The proposed sportsplex could also be utilized by JAXUSL and other youth sports organizations as a tournament facility to host over 30 regional and national tournaments per year. Additionally, the new sportsplex would also create nearly 130 jobs annually and generate an estimated $15 million - $20 million annual economic impact for St. Johns County. With county support, the proposed facility could be operational by early 2025.