The landscape of professional soccer in Osceola County is poised for a significant transformation. Yesterday, Osceola County commissioners unanimously greenlighted a memorandum of understanding (MOU), paving the way for negotiations with the owners of Orlando City Soccer Club regarding Osceola Heritage Park's (OHP) future development. The areas in question include the current Orlando City training grounds, Osceola County Stadium, and a nearby parcel of land, as reported by WESH.
Under the terms of the discussed MOU, a potential expansion of the training center with additional fields and the relocation of Orlando Pride's training facilities to Kissimmee are on the table. Although the Pride's lease at Seminole County's Sylvan Lake Park extends through December 31, 2028, with an option to extend to 2029, the planned move to Osceola would align with the lease's culmination. According to ClickOrlando, residents of the nearby Kissimmee area have voiced support for the developments, citing convenience and the popularity of soccer within the community.
Financial commitments detailed in the framework suggest an estimated $50 million investment earmarked for enhancements to county facilities and public-use areas. This substantial sum would be equally shared between the soccer team and Osceola County. Jarrod Dillon, Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride President of Business Operations, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, reported by WESH, "This agreement marks an important first step towards realizing our vision of building a state-of-the-art training facility for all of our teams." Both the county and the Orlando City Soccer Club aim to complete the proposed improvements by the end of 2028.
Additionally, a new 25-year lease agreement is under consideration, providing Orlando City and Pride with the operation of the training fields and stadium. The club would also be given an option to purchase the land at the lease's conclusion. Enthusiastically endorsing the potential developments, a county spokesperson assured that there would be no impact on existing events and programming at OHP, as detailed by WESH. The Silver Spurs Arena, exhibition hall, and events center remain unaffected by the proposed sale or lease.
