Lee County’s new Multi-Sports Complex is taking shape, as county leaders and staff weigh three design options recently presented by the project’s designer and architect.
The new concepts vary significantly in appearance from an initial concept that was presented at the start of the process, although that wasn’t unexpected. The architect provided a map showing environmental constraints on the initial drawing discovered during surveys of the land in the due diligence process prior to the purchase.
Now, the county will have to decide between three concepts of varying size and cost. Lee County Manager Dr. John Crumpton said county staff, leaders and stakeholders have so far given the most support to Concept C, which is the most expensive of the three proposals and includes two 300 foot baseball fields, two 225 foot baseball fields, seven rectangle fields, a championship baseball stadium, and a championship soccer rectangle.
Concept A also had some support, the least expensive of the options, also had some support. It would feature four 300 foot baseball fields, six rectangle fields, a championship baseball stadium, a championship soccer rectangle, and something called an adventure area.
“The concepts were presented to the commissioners at our last meeting, just so they would have an idea of where we’re at,” Crumpton said. “After that, we met with the Lee County Grow Play Succeed group (which was instrumental in supporting the passage of the complex), several of the youth sports leagues, and representatives from Downtown Sanford Inc. and the Sanford Tourism Development Authority. They all said they supported C. On Monday I’m going to review that with the Board (of Commissioners) and ask them to allow the designer to move forward with C, possibly with some elements from Concept A.”
Crumpton said the middle ground concept cost-wise, Concept B, didn’t have much support. It would feature three 300 foot baseball fields, eight rectangle fields, a championship baseball stadium, and a championship soccer rectangle.
Voters in Lee County approved a $25 million bond to fund the project in the 2020 election, and the Lee County Board of Commissioners approved the land purchase at a cost of nearly $2 million in July of 2021.
Once commissioners have given approval to one of the three concepts, the final planning phase will begin. After a final design has been approved and a bid has been awarded, Crumpton said he anticipates an 18 to 24 month process for completion of the project.
Baseball fields “It is desirable that the line from home base through the pitchers plate to second base shall run East-Northeast” So who gets stuck with the sun in their eyes.
A softball field or two would be nice, girl sports are so overlooked. Granted I know temporary fences can be added but it would have been nice to think about the girls.
I agree with Josie’s comment
Concept C just looks like fields with parking lots crammed in between. More expensive for one more field? I suppose there will be plenty of parking for everyone… Is the demand THAT great for soccer/baseball fields? The walking trail looks short and not even worth it.
Concept A looks better overall. Much more appealing to the general public at large. I don’t play baseball or soccer anymore but I would walk the trail. Concept A trail looks nicer. Could there also be future walking trails added? Or maybe even a mountain bike trail added? I definitely would use a MTB trail. Plus this concept has an “adventure zone” which I have to assume is some type of playground. It would nice for parents and their children. Not all kids are interesting in playing sports but they might be interested in the adventure zone or even just a playground. On top of it being more appealing to various types of people, this concept is cheaper and affects the natural surrounding less than the other concepts.
Don’t leave out our girls. Put in a softball championship field. Our girls putting in the work just like the boys!
I actually love the A concept as well. I like the idea of a walking trail and playground. It would be nice to have softball fields as well.
Do you really think they have Lee County residents in mind to use this ? This is to bring in people from all over (in-state and out of state) so it will bring Big Revenue. The traffic is getting Horrific now, can you imagine when its done? I say, just fix what we have so we can still afford to use it.