The Solomon Calhoun Community Center is on the brink of completing a significant field upgrade, transforming a grassy expanse into a state-of-the-art artificial turf field. The conversion is a part of a larger Capital Improvement Project intended to provide youths with improved access to sports and to reduce cancellations due to inclement weather. The progress of the upgrade has been documented in a video produced by the Office of Public Affairs, as reported by the St. Johns County Office of Public Affairs.
Funded by Tourist Development Tax dollars of Fiscal Year 2023, this project is ushering in an artificial turf that will support lacrosse, soccer, and football, complete with permanent markings for each sport. Designed to resist flooding with ample drainage in place, the field will not only weather storms but also serve as a preferable venue for regional tournaments. "That way, the field can be utilized year-round. Regardless of weather, it is designed not to flood—there’s plenty of drainage under this," said Chris Gatchell, Project Manager for St. Johns County Public Works, as he told the St. Johns County Office of Public Affairs.
Initiated in February, the construction remains on schedule, with the expected completion set for August, firmly on the path for an October celebratory kickoff. This enhancement is anticipated to significantly cut down maintenance efforts and downtime after rains, illuminating how the field can also be utilized with minimal disruption for the Parks and Recreation Department, quips Gatchell in an interview with the St. Johns County Office of Public Affairs. This reflects an optimism for the field's future, particularly once it teems with the energy of kids in play.
These upgrades signal St. Johns County's unwavering dedication to community recreation investment, broadening youth sports access, and bolstering its prowess as a host for regional athletic events. "This is a big improvement to the community," Gatchell affirmed in a statement obtained by the St. Johns County Office of Public Affairs. "Having all three of those sports groups come out here and be able to utilize this field year-round will be a real improvement for the Solomon Calhoun Community Center."
