JAXUSL working with St. Johns County on proposed 15-field Community Sportsplex for First Coast

The St. Johns County Board of Commissioners has voted unanimously 5-0 to pursue a possible public-partnership with JAXUSL on the club’s proposal to develop a 15-field community sportsplex and professional training site in Northern St. Johns County.

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.

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 $30m facility.

The professional soccer club would also plan to base its training headquarters at the sportsplex and utilise two grass and one pro turf field for professional club training.

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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 that the facility could become a home for our JAXUSL professional women’s and men’s USL Super League and USL Championship teams.

By supporting the operation of the facilities in conjunction with St. Johns County Parks & Recreation, we also see a huge opportunity to attract and support 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 areas, 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 League (PAL) as well as local residents.

The proposed sportsplex could also be utilised by JAXUSL and other youth sports organisations 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 $15M-$20m economic impact for St. Johns County per year.

With County support, the proposed facility could be operational by early 2025.

Source & imagery, courtesy: JAXUSL