South Walton Family Sportsplex

I red the article in the Walton Sun and wonder why on earth would we, here in SoWal, want the Panama City Semi- pro team to play in SoWal. Wouldn't it be better if SoWallers could actually play on the fields, rather than outsiders?

I got all excited when I saw this thread, envisioning a Sowal YMCA type facility w/ pool, indoor courts, exercise & classroom facilities............. :(

Tried to read the proposal, but all the numbers were missing. Is this because it's a rough draft? :idontno:

Seems like a pretty specialized and ambitious project considering the current facilities & infrastructure.

IMO public sports facilities for the current residents and area kids should come before a highly subsidized private facility. Boys & Girls club needs $ for basic facilities but we can afford space for a semi pro team based in a neighboring county?

I red the article in the Walton Sun and wonder why on earth would we, here in SoWal, want the Panama City Semi- pro team to play in SoWal. Wouldn't it be better if SoWallers could actually play on the fields, rather than outsiders?

Good question. I don't necessarily advocate the Panama City Pirates playing all their home games in SoWal, but it would be an entertaining, educational, and revenue producing experience for everyone involved if they were able to play a few games here. With the fields constructed, they would serve primarily the residents here, youth through adults, rec soccer, middle school, high school, and even college (with the OWC coming in). Also, the fields would attract soccer, rugby, and lacrosse tournaments, a pretty well-heeled crowd, and potential real estate purchasers, both those who visit and see this type of infrastructure in place and those who would not consider purchasing somewhere without such infrastructure in place.

The Panama City Pirates are in a developmental league which allows high school, college, and professional players to play and develop. With the present and growing interest in soccer locally, I think the youth in the area, and perhaps a few adults, would enjoy the experience of attending such matches. It could plant the seeds of a soccer futures that lead to college scholarships, professional careers, or if nothing else, a very healthy love of and participation in a sport that is not only the most popular sport in the world, but a sport that people can participate in into their 60's.

Hope that helps. Let me know your thoughts.

Cheers!

I got all excited when I saw this thread, envisioning a Sowal YMCA type facility w/ pool, indoor courts, exercise & classroom facilities............. :(

Tried to read the proposal, but all the numbers were missing. Is this because it's a rough draft? :idontno:

Seems like a pretty specialized and ambitious project considering the current facilities & infrastructure.

IMO public sports facilities for the current residents and area kids should come before a highly subsidized private facility. Boys & Girls club needs $ for basic facilities but we can afford space for a semi pro team based in a neighboring county?

The idea would be to start with fields, and then possibly develop around or within it, if the space evolves in that direction. With multi-purpose fields like the ones proposed, the largest and most expensive acquisition would be the land, as very few structures would be needed. In a way, it could be considered protected green space that could eventually evolve into maybe some of those items you mention. But our main focus is on these fields first.

It is a rough draft, so this is what we have so far. The idea of getting the proposal out there is to get this kind of feedback and getting people involved as the idea continues to gain traction and progress.

I agree the current facilities make this look ambitious, but certainly not out of the realm of possibility at all. Part of the reason is because our current facilities are not adequate, and by no means do I think this is a finished proposal that could not use some adjusting. There are other communities, similar in size, that have embraced these types of projects, and the response appears overwhelmingly positive.

I never said this would be highly subsidized, but it would probably work best with a mixture of public and private funding. If the public funding is not there, then we just shift our focus to investment from private funding and federal and state grants that are in place for just these types of facilities. I am afraid the process of depending directly on public funding or the Boys & Girls Club, neither of which I am aware of having a plan of this scope, is a process that is taking too long. These kids need space as soon as possible, and this proposal provides for making that a reality. If we can take this proposal to the next level, that is one more item the county or Boys & Girls Club does not have to worry about. Again, we would not be trying to be all things to all people, unless it naturally evolves that way.

Attached are the initial renderings of the approved expansion for Helen McCall Park.

Attached are the initial renderings of the approved expansion for Helen McCall Park.

So, what do you think? :idontno::wave:

Hey DCFin does the guy in your avatar bald now? If it is who I think it is, I think he's a Manchester United fan! :floor::funn::rofl::rolling: Oh yea was he wearin a green soccer shirt this weekend?

thanks for the info christian. this looks like a really ambitious project - wow! at first glance, I felt that our community just isn't Atlanta or even Huntsville, so why do we need sports facilities such as this? But, on the other hand our little town has a growing population of families with children.. more and more and more children.. so, I do like your thinking on sports opportunities for SoWal children.geeze, the land must be prime real estate. and much of it is donated?I haven't heard a thing about Girls & Boys club in a long time. Don't konw what has happened with their plans.good luck to you and keep us up to date!

Hey DCFin does the guy in your avatar bald now? If it is who I think it is, I think he's a Manchester United fan! :floor::funn::rofl::rolling: Oh yea was he wearin a green soccer shirt this weekend?

Sounds like a lad named Fletcher. Nor glory hunting here! And full head of hair for me, even though it is quite short.

thanks for the info christian. this looks like a really ambitious project - wow! at first glance, I felt that our community just isn't Atlanta or even Huntsville, so why do we need sports facilities such as this? But, on the other hand our little town has a growing population of families with children.. more and more and more children.. so, I do like your thinking on sports opportunities for SoWal children.geeze, the land must be prime real estate. and much of it is donated?I haven't heard a thing about Girls & Boys club in a long time. Don't konw what has happened with their plans.good luck to you and keep us up to date!

The Sportsplex proposal is ambitious, but being that it would mostly be green space, it should be fairly uncomplicated. And I am not opposed to plans that would scale it down a little or incorporate other needs. That said, Helen McCall Park is just not going to be a big enough project, nor have enough field space to adequately serve the local youth (and adults) first, and the visiting/vacationing youth and adults second. Hospitals, schools, and parks serve and attract families and other people to make a place a permanent (or even vacation) residence. We are running at a deficit for infrastructure here in South Walton. So, I hope this idea and proposal gains traction sooner rather than later.

We have enough smart and ambitious people here to make it a reality!

Thank you for the support!

So, what do you think? :idontno::wave:

I am dissapointed in the scale, but supportive of the fact that we will at least be getting some improvements.

The explanation I recieved for field space was that there would be two additional fields, not just one. That is just not going to be enough space for youth and middle school football, youth and middle school soccer, any high school field sports that need the space, and any other field usage that will be needed.

If anyone would like to help me try to make the South Walton Sportsplex proposal a reality, please do not hesitate to contact me. I think the children of South Walton need and deserve our active advocacy on their behalf.

I am dissapointed in the scale, but supportive of the fact that we will at least be getting some improvements.

The explanation I recieved for field space was that there would be two additional fields, not just one. That is just not going to be enough space for youth and middle school football, youth and middle school soccer, any high school field sports that need the space, and any other field usage that will be needed.

If anyone would like to help me try to make the South Walton Sportsplex proposal a reality, please do not hesitate to contact me. I think the children of South Walton need and deserve our active advocacy on their behalf.

The additional 10 acres was only partially usable due to wetlands. Once everything that was originally requested was proposed (total of 2 fields, playground, restrooms, enough parking spaces (number determined according to usage), drainage, roadway), there was not enough large space intact for an additional field, based on where the other things needed to be placed. We worked with the small space that we had!

Sadly, we did not get the running trails for cross country- parts of the park perimeters are wet and certain features butt up right to the property lines, so it would be extremely expensive.

The additional 10 acres was only partially usable due to wetlands. Once everything that was originally requested was proposed (total of 2 fields, playground, restrooms, enough parking spaces (number determined according to usage), drainage, roadway), there was not enough large space intact for an additional field, based on where the other things needed to be placed. We worked with the small space that we had!

Sadly, we did not get the running trails for cross country- parts of the park perimeters are wet and certain features butt up right to the property lines, so it would be extremely expensive.

Morning, Jenny!

I am not poo-pooing the plan, as it is most definitely an improvement, and I understand the geographical limitations. But I definitely think the needs remain and will only become more obvious, as the largest population of children here are elementary age or younger, and that group continues to grow larger as families move to the area.
The clock is ticking.

Morning, Jenny!

I am not poo-pooing the plan, as it is most definitely an improvement, and I understand the geographical limitations. But I definitely think the needs remain and will only become more obvious, as the largest population of children here are elementary age or younger, and that group continues to grow larger as families move to the area.
The clock is ticking.

:wave: Ola!

I know you are supportive - just wanted to make sure that everyone understands that there wasn't acres and acres of land available.

FYI- the new middle school will have a 650 student capacity, and the high school is already at 580. Yes, more and more families are coming here.

:wave: Ola!

I know you are supportive - just wanted to make sure that everyone understands that there wasn't acres and acres of land available.

FYI- the new middle school will have a 650 student capacity, and the high school is already at 580. Yes, more and more families are coming here.

Excellent work on keeping us informed, Jenny.
You get my nomination for community activist of the year. Keep up the good, and important, work.

And, See You Out On The Pitch!

Excellent work on keeping us informed, Jenny.
You get my nomination for community activist of the year. Keep up the good, and important, work.

And, See You Out On The Pitch!

SGB and Supermom are the SoWallers that rocked the Play Park.

There are a lot of people in SoWal that work their tails off every minute of the day. My nomination should only be for the title of "Big Loud Mouth".:lol: Sometimes it is useful.:blink:

SGB and Supermom are the SoWallers that rocked the Play Park.

There are a lot of people in SoWal that work their tails off every minute of the day. My nomination should only be for the title of "Big Loud Mouth".:lol: Sometimes it is useful.:blink:

:floor:

:floor:

My thoughts exactly, adding another :floor:.

And on the serious side, Christian, you're doing great work. Supermom and SGB rock, too! Y'all are making SoWal an even better place.

My thoughts exactly, adding another :floor:.

And on the serious side, Christian, you're doing great work. Supermom and SGB rock, too! Y'all are making SoWal an even better place.

Thank you, Lisa (I think).

And none of this happens without parents' help, support, volunteer work, and involvement. Cheers to that and to them!