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Commissioners ask staff to study county-owned parcel for sports fields after residents, leagues press for play space
Summary
Following extensive public comment from youth-league organizers and residents, the board gave consensus to direct staff to evaluate a centrally located, county-owned 33-acre parcel for development of outdoor sports fields and to return with costs and funding options.
Several youth-sports organizers, parents and volunteers told the Board of County Commissioners on March 11 that Citrus County lacks enough fields for soccer, basketball, flag football and travel teams. Commissioners heard repeated testimony that existing fields are used year-round without downtime for maintenance and that organized programs said they must turn away participants.
Commissioner Diana Finnegan, citing constituent calls and an inventory of requests, asked staff to study a county-owned 33-acre parcel (central Citrus County) as a possible location for multiple new fields. Eric Head, community services director, told the board staff had reviewed the parcel and that it appeared appropriate; Head also presented participation figures from local leagues (examples cited in the meeting: combined soccer leagues, more than 1,700 players; a single new flag-football league reporting more than 800 participants). League representatives said they offer financial aid so cost is not a barrier for some families and that high-school–age programs were also growing.
Board direction
The board gave consensus for staff to prepare a study of the 33-acre parcel including: - a site assessment and rough cost estimate to construct multiuse fields, and the estimated incremental cost to add lighting; - options for phasing the work and possible funding sources (district impact fees, countywide park-impact fees, grant funding or a countywide bonding option tied to a parks capital program); and - a short-term plan to reduce conflicts on existing fields and improve scheduling/maintenance practices while long-term solutions are explored.
Speakers and local groups
Corey Edwards and other volunteers from a league identified in the meeting as 3 52 Legends described steep growth, financial-aid programs that keep kids on teams and the league—s use of adult volunteers and high-school students as referees and staff. The Citrus County YMCA and other local organizers were named during the discussion as possible partners for indoor court space or scheduling coordination.
Why it matters
County parks and recreation capacity affects youth development, after-school activity options and local economies tied to tournaments and events. Commissioners said they want a mix of short-term fixes (scheduling and maintenance changes) and a longer-term study of the county parcel and funding options so the county can present clear choices to the public during upcoming budget work and capital-improvement programming.
Next steps
Staff will return with a site study, cost and funding options and a proposed phasing plan for board consideration.
Speakers
Eric Head, Community Services Director (presenter) Corey Edwards, 352 Legends (youth-sports organizer) Commissioner Diana Finnegan (mover of the staff study request)
Discussion vs. decision
The board—s consensus directed staff to study the site and funding options; no capital appropriation or formal project was approved at this meeting.
