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Committee begins broader planning for OPAA property and Orange Park Sports & Recreation Complex
Summary
The committee began a multi-step planning process to examine long-term uses for the OPAA property and Orange Park Sports & Recreation Complex, seeking options ranging from upgraded athletic fields to an aquatic/community center tied to tourism funding.
Committee members opened a broad policy discussion about the future of the OPAA property (Orange Park Sports & Recreation Complex), asking whether the town should preserve the site primarily for youth athletics or pursue a redeveloped mix of athletic fields, an aquatic center or a community center to attract tourism and grant funding.
Town Manager William Whitson framed the discussion as a long-range planning question and said the town will advocate for state support if the council endorses a study. “If we can get some money for somebody to come in and do that kind of evaluation, a professional and look at what that would mean and what would be involved,” Whitson said, adding that the town wants to avoid competing with county facilities and instead seek partnerships.
Committee members stressed cost recovery and benchmarking. Emily (staff) and others recommended studying Clay County and Fernandina Beach models where leagues contribute improvements and the county charges per-player usage fees. A committee member said Clay County has shifted to lease agreements and per-player charges; another member said Fernandina’s Babe Ruth League contributed about $96,000 in improvements since 2022.
Clarifying details for future decisions: staff cited an estimate to replace field lighting poles at roughly $150,000 for one football field. Members discussed options including infrastructure-as-a-service contracts that pay for renovations with ongoing maintenance fees, turf replacement, new lighting, bleachers and concession facilities. The town will explore whether a mixed-use redevelopment (for example, new fields plus an aquatic facility/community center) is feasible for the roughly 10–11 acres discussed by the committee.
No formal committee vote was taken. The committee asked staff to develop conceptual options and talking points the town manager can present to county and state legislators (Clay County discussions in April were referenced) and to invite benchmarking presentations (Clay County was suggested) at a future meeting. Staff also recommended inviting vendors or financing partners to present options while noting procurement and sole-source legal constraints.
Ending: The committee asked staff to develop concepts for “highest and best use,” to seek county and school-district partners where appropriate, and to return with benchmarking and cost-recovery proposals at a future committee meeting.
