The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Wesley Chapel/New Tampa Sports

Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus ready for play

By

The spacious, bio-cushioned hardwood floors sparkle under the lights.

The multisport electronic scoreboards operate without a hitch.

Area youth and adults will have access to the field house during weekdays, with the opportunity to participate in recreation leagues, camps and clinics. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The myriad ceiling-hung basketball goals and volleyball nets are mechanically lowered and raised in minutes.

The centralized cheerleading/dance springboard floor is square for stunts and tumbling. Adjacent outdoor multi-use grass fields are manicured and marked up for soccer, lacrosse and other events.

Put another way, the highly-anticipated Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County is finally open and ready for play, at 3211 Lajuana Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

With 98,000 square feet of indoor space, the complex is hyped as a destination for local youth, school teams and adult athletes, while also playing host to a diverse set of regional, national and international level sports tournaments year-round.

The $29 million field house is the centerpiece of a $44 million public-private project. Ultimately, it will be phased to include seven outdoor multi-use fields and a 128-room hotel situated 80 acres of land donated by the Porter family, one of the area’s leading cattle ranchers who established Wiregrass Ranch in 1942. The sports campus is funded with county tourist tax development dollars, while the adjacent hotel will be funded and constructed via private capital from Mainsail Development Group.

An Aug. 27 ribbon cutting ceremony signaled the opening of the first phase of the much-anticipated Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County.

An Aug. 27 grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony offered an in-depth look of the state-of-the-art facility that the county hopes will be a game-changing tourism draw for years to come.

The multi-use sports complex, which features 37-foot-high ceilings, is large enough to hold either 16 volleyball games or eight full-court basketball games at any given time.

It’s two 35,500-square-foot gyms are separated by a cheer/dance studio, athletic training center and second-level mezzanine. Spacious floors can be converted to accommodate other sports, such as pickleball (up to 16 courts), futsal (up to eight courts), as well as large-scale wrestling, mixed martial arts (MMA) or karate tournaments.

Versatility and flexibility are key aspects of the complex’s design. For instance, one side of the gym could be used for a volleyball tournament, while the other side could be used for another sport or even a convention.

Other notable amenities include an educational lab, full-service kitchen, a concessions area aptly titled “Fast Break,” and snack bar, “Power Alley,” both situated in the lobby.

Designed to attract athletes, from near and far
The birth of the campus dates back to 2001, when a feasibility study identified the county as a possible sports tourism hotspot.

Concrete plans for the multi-purpose athletic center didn’t come together until 2015.

The facility officially broke ground in June 2018.

Pasco County Commissioner and Pasco County Tourist Development Council Chairman Mike Moore labeled the project “a huge milestone” for the area.

“This isn’t a dream on paper anymore — it’s actually happening right in front of us, ” Moore said at the grand opening ceremony.

In addition to a combined 70,000 square feet of floor space, the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County features a competition cheer/dance studio and springboard.

“It’s a beautiful facility. It’s no longer a construction site, it’s now the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County.

“It was a long road to get here, and it took a shared vision and commitment from this County Commission that we have here, the Tourist Development Council, and a very, very generous family,” Moore said.

The athletics campus is a public-private partnership between the county, who owns the land and facility, and RADD Sports, a private sports management company tasked with handling day-to-day programming, maintenance and operations.

Moore noted the importance of such a partnership: “A county government, let’s be honest, isn’t set up to effectively run a facility like this. That’s probably the last thing you want ever to happen, is a county government to run a facility like this.”

The complex will be open for public use and local leagues Monday through Thursday, while Friday through Sunday will generally be reserved for attracting out-of-area tournaments.

The youth and amateur sports industry has quickly taken notice of all the frills.

The venue has booked 53 events or tournaments across the next 42 weekends, according to RADD Sports CEO Richard Blalock. That so far encompasses basketball, cheerleading, futsal, gymnastics, karate, volleyball, and wrestling; upwards of 17 different sports could be effectively at the complex, officials say.

It’s very first hosted event was a South Florida-based boys travel basketball tournament, which generated 500 room nights booked for the county.

“During a pandemic, that’s really strong,” Moore said, adding the number of bookings already scheduled is “really, really incredible.”

Said Moore: “The people that come here are going to stay in our hotels, which they already have. They’re going to eat at our restaurants. They’re going to shop at our Pasco County stores. And, it’s not just the athletes that are competing that’ll be doing that, it’s their families, it’s their friends, and it’s the spectators.”

Meanwhile, a team of RADD athletic directors/coaches with extensive professional backgrounds will help run local programming in the arenas of cheer, gymnastics, soccer, basketball and volleyball — the primary sports focus of the complex. That includes afterschool programs, camps, recreation leagues and so on.

With talents and skills that’s taken them to sports’ highest levels nationally and internationally, even they were awestruck by the complex’s diverse amenities.

The 98,000-square-foot indoor field house is the cornerstone of the 80-acre Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County. It is now open and ready for play.

“There’s no other facility like it, not in the Southeast, and maybe not even the country,” said basketball director Ronnie Outen, a former Division I hooper at West Virginia University who spent 15 years playing professionally overseas in Austria, Italy and Lebanon, among other countries.

Outen specifically observed the benefits of the facility’s second-floor mezzanine, which offers “a bird’s eye view” of every game in action — a plus for college recruiters, scouts, family members and so on.

“A lot of places have a lot of courts, but they’re not centrally, strategically placed where you can just get a view of the whole facility in one specific location,” he said.

Former Tampa Bay Rowdies head coach Stuart Campbell is heading up the campus’ indoor futsal and outdoor soccer programming. With seven full-sized outdoor fields and hotel coming online within walking distance, he believes the space is worthy enough to host year-round residencies for professional soccer teams overseas.

“I know where I’m from, I certainly didn’t have anything like this,” said Campbell, a former English Premier soccer player from the United Kingdom.  “I think we’ve opened ourselves and Pasco County up to the opportunity of bringing in  professional soccer teams.”

Some of the complex’s finer details, such as heavy-duty commercial rollup doors to conveniently load and offload equipment, makes it ever more appealing to lure some headline tournaments and become the flagship for others.

“They spared no expense,” Matt McDonough, the facility’s senior director of cheer and event development, said. “There’s really so much you can do with this. You can rock and roll with a giant wrestling tournament here, judo, fencing. I think they even planned for archery.”

For more information, visit Wiregrass-sports.com.

Published September 02, 2020

Local golf standout swings into senior year

By

When Norah Catlin showed up for Wiregrass Ranch High School girls golf tryouts in 2017, it wasn’t long before coach Jeremy Calzone realized a special talent had entered the program.

The longtime Bulls coach originally wasn’t aware of the then-incoming freshman’s background winning countless junior tournaments; being named the Greater Tampa Junior Golf Association’s player of the year; qualifying for the Drive, Chip and Putt Championships at the Masters; and first picking up the sport at the age of 4.

Wiregrass Ranch High School rising senior Norah Catlin stands alongside head coach Jeremy Calzone at the 2019 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state championships.
As a junior last year, Catlin finished tied for 17th at the Class 3A championships, firing five-over par (74-75—149) in the two-day tournament.
(Courtesy of Kim Catlin)

Moreover, the timing couldn’t have been better.

The team had just graduated a strong senior class buoyed by Morgan Powers, Alexis Lane and Lexy Frenchko.

With that, Calzone figured the 2017 season would be a retooling year. “We were like, ‘Man, it’s going to be a struggle this year,’” he recalled.

Little did the coach know the most accomplished female golfer in school history had walked in the door, and she’d guide the program to three straight conference championships and district titles.

At tryouts when Calzone asked which of the newcomers had ever golfed before, Catlin meekly raised her hand, speaking softly without much conviction.

Assuming she was mostly a novice with the sport, Calzone unwittingly placed her with a beginner’s group, instead of with some of the team’s more experienced returnees.

He soon discovered a mistake was made.

“It took me two shots to realize, ‘Ok, you need to be in that (top) group with those other girls…,’” Calzone chuckled. “I joke with her all the time, like, ‘You could’ve told me you were like one of the elite players in the area.’ …It was a good surprise to have, obviously.”

The rest is history.

“She’s definitely by far the best (player) we’ve had,” Calzone said of Catlin.

Since entering the Wiregrass Ranch hallways, Catlin has laid claim to the county’s top female

golfer. She is a three-time Sunshine Athletic Conference Player of the Year and three-time state qualifier.

Her freshman year she became the first female golfer in school history to qualify for the state finals, held annually at the Mission Inn Resort & Club, in Howey-in-the-Hills.

As a junior last year, Catlin finished tied for 17th at the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) Class 3A state championships, firing five-over par (74-75—149) across the two-day tournament.

It represented the best showing among female golfers from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area. The next top score among locals was Steinbrenner High’s Posie Farrelly, who carded nine-over par (79-74 — 153)

Entering her senior campaign, Catlin is looking to build on her past accolades and then some, if and when the already-delayed Florida prep sports season gets underway due to COVID-19.

In addition to trying to secure top county honors and a strong state finish a fourth time, her main goal is to finish undefeated in the dozen or so regular season matches scheduled.

“It’s something that I’ve gotten very close to the last three seasons. I want to be able to do it at least once before my high school career is over,” she said.

Catlin, too, hopes her accomplishments inspire her younger teammates and the next generation of female golfers: “Honestly, I really hope somebody sees what I’ve done and wants to beat it, because that’s how you get better.”

‘A mental game’
On the course, Catlin takes pride in her short game, particularly her chipping ability. It was a skill she began mastering at a young age, using her family’s backyard to practice various angles and distances.

To shore up her accuracy, Catlin’s father would give her $1 every time she hit a tree from a particular position. “We had to stop that very quickly because I’d bankrupt him,” she quipped.

Catlin’s chip shot proficiency, too, has awed Calzone over the years: “It’s crazy, she’ll be five or 10 feet within the pin, ready for birdie almost every time, and if she’s not, it’s almost like you’re shocked, you know.”

The mental side of the game is another of Catlin’s strengths. She makes a point to not let a bad shot or two ruin an entire round — a common theme for some golfers. Instead, she tries to stay level-headed and keep her composure throughout.

Catlin detailed her mindset: “The biggest mistake that some golfers make is when they hit one bad shot, they get very upset, because they think their day is ruined, whereas their attitude towards the situation is what ruins their round. By keeping a level head and telling yourself, ‘Golf is a game, at the end of the day,’ it’s a lot easier to hit the next shot and bounce back.”

Better prepared
Each summer, Catlin travels to St. Petersburg, Russia, to visit family members on her mother’s side.

Catlin doesn’t pick up a golf club during that period, which admittedly leaves her rusty for a couple weeks in advance of the season.

Norah Catlin said one of her main goals as a senior is to be undefeated in all regular season matches. She’d been close to achieving that feat in the past.

The pandemic, however, cancelled the teen’s annual Russia trip.

From a golfing standpoint, it could prove a blessing in disguise.

That’s because she has used the extra downtime in town to hit the links with more fervor — and should yield a more polished version of herself  by the start of the season, whenever that is.

“I think all this extra practice that I’ve been able to do is really going to help me,” Catlin said, adding she’s fortunate golf courses have stayed open during the pandemic, as the sport’s been deemed an essential recreational activity by state and local governments. “It’s been nice to still have my sport running, and it gives me something to do every day.”

More prepared than usual for the start of a season, Calzone acknowledged Catlin could put forth her best showing of her prep career.

“If she’s been playing all summer, look out,” the coach said. “She’s never disappointed me, so my expectations are always pretty high for her, because I know what she’s going to do.”

Promising future awaits
Catlin has multiple offers to golf collegiately, but she hasn’t yet decided if that’s a path she’ll take.

One of the top students in her senior class with a 4.5 GPA who takes a heavy dose of Advanced Placement (AP) and dual-enrollment classes, Catlin aspires to study political science in college and attend law school. She also is passionate about environmental issues, recently completing an online environmental justice fellowship amid the pandemic. Studying abroad in Russia and becoming fluent in the language are some other lofty objectives.

When it comes to higher education, Catlin said, “I just want to focus more time on my school and focusing on my GPA.”

In either case, golf will still be a lifelong hobby for her, whether she’s playing competitively or not.

“It’s definitely going to be in my life, probably for the rest of my life,” Catlin said. “I genuinely like it because it gives me time alone, time to think, and it’s as much of a mental game as it is a physical game. …Also, it’s just a nice way to get fresh air.”

Whatever Catlin winds up doing, Catlin’s high school coach is sure she’ll find success.

“She’s just an unbelievable person,” Calzone said. “She’s just a great, all-around person. Her grades, she’s very polite, she’s well-liked by all the teachers, the kids at school. Just a great, unbelievable person. I mean, she’s unbelievable at golf, but I think she’s just an unbelievable, all-around student-athlete.”

Published August 05, 2020

Local javelin standout ready for bigger stage

By

New Tampa resident Zach Godbold was poised to conclude his high school athletic career on top of a winner’s podium.

At Wharton High School, Godbold had wrapped up his final varsity football and soccer seasons in the fall and winter, respectively.

His attention then turned to track and field.

He envisioned hoisting up the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA)’s first state-sanctioned title in the javelin throw, in the modern era.

Wharton High’s Zach Godbold had eyes set on winning the first official state javelin title in the modern era, until the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of spring sports. (Courtesy of Kyle LoJacono)

After all, in 2019 Godbold won the FHSAA’s exhibition state title in javelin — as part of a provisional period for the track and field offering.

He picked up right where he left off this spring.

Godbold was ranked No. 1 in the state with a rubber-tip javelin throw of 55.15 meters. The mark was well ahead of the state’s No. 2 thrower, Pompano Beach Highlands Christian Academy junior Nick Veynovich, who had a personal best of 49.36 meters.

Then COVID-19 happened — wiping out the remainder of the Florida high school sports season in early March.

And, just like that, Godbold’s shot at making history vanished. His status as the de facto favorite to become the first officially recognized javelin state champion since 1950 was erased.

The FHSAA discontinued the javelin in 1950, due to safety concerns. It brought it back with some new procedures, such as using a rubber tip instead of a steel tip seen in college and Olympic-level competitions.

“It being my senior year and my first official chance, it was obviously disappointing,” Godbold said, in a recent interview with The Laker/Lutz News.

He felt for his fellow teammates and other athletes, too.

“I lost my season, but so did every other spring sport for every level, so everyone’s in the same boat,” Godbold said.

But, time has healed his wounds.

He missed out on a would-be historic state crown, but he has since shifted focus to his next challenge — competing on the University of Florida men’s track and field team.

He signed a college athletic scholarship, in May, to attend UF.

So, a missed opportunity that was completely out of Godbold’s control has become motivational factor for his burgeoning college career.

He has lofty expectations for his freshman season at Florida.

He’s aiming for a steel-tip javelin throw of at least 70 meters; his current top mark in the steel-tip throw is 60.38 meters.

As he prepares to move to Gainesville, the athlete has been keeping sharp through gym workouts and javelin throws, which he makes multiple times each week at Hunter’s Green Community Park in New Tampa.

“I’m hoping to come out and improve my personal best so much that no one sees it coming,” Godbold said. “I’m kind of eager to get out there and show what I can do after improving for a whole year.”

Wharton High track and field coach Kyle LoJacono sympathizes with Godbold’s missed opportunity to claim a historic achievement.

New Tampa resident Zach Godbold has signed with University of Florida men’s track and field, where he’ll compete in the javelin throw. Godbold recently graduated from Wharton High School.

“My heart went out to the kid because of how much he’s done, he wanted to get that state championship,” LoJacono said.

Right up until the final meet of the season on March 7, Godbold went the extra mile both in training and at meets, the coach said.

LoJacono said the athlete lifted weights early in the morning and practiced track in the afternoon, while also juggling what was left of his soccer season.

“You would think that somebody’s who’s No. 1 might get a little bit complacent, but this year there was really none of that…because he really did everything as far as that strength and conditioning side,” LoJacono said.

His attitude, the coach said, was: “How can I make myself better?”

While Godbold’s senior season ended abruptly, LoJacono is eager to see Godbold’s potential for growth, as he heads to a Division I national powerhouse that’s claimed nine combined NCAA titles and 11 SEC crowns since 2009.

Said LoJacono: “It really is going to be special to see what he can do over the next four years.”

Javelin creates more opportunities
As Godbold heads off to new challenges, LoJacono is looking forward to the competitive growth of the javelin throw among the Florida high school ranks.

This season, the coach observed an uptick in participants in both local and county meets among boys and girls, compared to when it was a provisional, unscored offering the past couple years. “I’ve seen a lot more people do it. It’s already taken off in a positive way,” he said.

The discipline essentially requires an athlete to throw a spear for distance, and gaining momentum by running within a predetermined area.

In boys competition, the spear weighs 800 grams and has a length of 260 centimeters to 270 centimeters. In girls competition, it’s 600 grams and 220 centimeters to 230 centimeters long.

Mastering javelin requires a combination of sprint speed, strength, explosiveness, athleticism, and technique from the legs all way up to the throwing motion, LoJacono said. “It’s that whole kinetic chain.”

The recent reintroduction of javelin by the FHSAA ultimately could lead to more track and field scholarships for Florida high schoolers.

LoJacono explained those scholarships — namely at Florida colleges and universities — have been going to athletes from other states that offered javelin as a sanctioned high school event.

Bringing javelin back into the fold was forward-thinking on the FHSAA’s part, LoJacono said, because, “there was this whole talent base of kids who were not being served.”

Godbold is a prime example of that, as he first achieved statewide and national recognition in javelin on the AAU circuit as a teen.

Now that it’s a state-sanctioned event, Godbold, too, envisions a wave of youth and high school athletes who may discover an otherwise hidden gift.

“With (javelin) being in meets, and teams caring about points and trying to win meets, they would test out people in practice and throw people out there, so I think coming up in Florida, there’s going to be a lot more good javelin throwers than there have been,” Godbold said.

And, the greater exposure to javelin may create new opportunities, he added.

“I think there’s a lot of people who are playing other sports, maybe they’re a baseball pitcher or something, who have the talent to be able to go Division I in track and field,” Godbold said.

Published June 24, 2020

Cypress Creek receives FHSAA sportsmanship award

By

The Cypress Creek High School athletics department has made numerous strides in on-field performance since the school first opened in 2017.

But, it’s the way the school’s student-athletes, coaches and fans conduct themselves before and after athletic events that has garnered statewide attention.

Cypress Creek earned the Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award for Class 4A for the 2019-2020 school year. In total, 14 high schools and two middle schools received the notable honor on June 4. (Courtesy of Cypress Creek athletics department)

Cypress Creek earned the Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award for Class 4A for the 2019-2020 school year. In total, 14 high schools and two middle schools received the notable honor on June 4.

As part of the award, the Wesley Chapel-based school will receive a commemorative plaque and a $2,500 check, to go toward ongoing athletic department funding.

Cypress Creek, also known as the Coyotes, originally was nominated for the award because the school had not received any disciplinary actions or ejections among all athletes and coaches; the school also was required to submit information to the FHSAA outlining the athletic department’s overall philosophy and how it fosters good sportsmanship among all participants.

Cypress Creek athletic director Justin Pelliccia labeled the honor as “something we’re definitely very proud of” and “great publicity for Pasco County as a whole.”

“It’s definitely a huge honor for all of us, all of our coaches, all the countless hours that they’ve put in and dedication that they’ve put into their programs,” said Pelliccia, who’s served as athletic director since 2018.

“Sportsmanship is always key,” he said, noting if kids are respectful and they buy in and they are respectful to the coach and to other teams, it contributes to success.

The statewide award has been presented annually since 1991. It is named in honor of FHSAA Commissioner Emeritus Fred E. Rozelle.

This is the first time since 2014 that a school in The Laker/Lutz News’ coverage area has received the distinction. Land O’ Lakes-based Rushe Middle School received the honor in 2014 and Sunlake High School received it for the 2012-2013 school year.

Cypress Creek athletic director Justin Pelliccia (Courtesy of Justin Pelliccia)

Cypress Creek principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles is elated the school received the prestigious designation.

“I am absolutely thrilled about our students, fan base, and coaches being recognized with this award,” she wrote in an email to The Laker/Lutz News.

“This is truly an honor! This honor is a testament to the dedication of our coaches, community & students and their commitment to our H.O.W.L. mission, which is to Have a growth mindset, Own their education, Work as a Community, and to Lead responsibly. I am proud of our entire Coyote Nation for being honored with this award!”

When it comes to promoting good sportsmanship, the Cypress Creek athletics department takes a multi-faceted approach.

Student-athletes, for instance, are advised to keep a positive outlook on social media sites, and partake in various community service and fundraisers, such as pancake breakfasts and car washes.

In general, the school’s athletes are “very respectful” to opposing teams before and after competitions, Pelliccia said.

Also, Coyotes coaches “go above and beyond” in the name of setting a good example, Pelliccia said. As an example, he said many coaches make it a point to recognize rival schools’ student-athletes — in addition to their own —  during Senior Night ceremonies.

Moreover, the school is revered for its active spirit group — student fans who attend countless sporting events each year, both home and away.

The athletic director explained school administration outlines guidelines, ideas and expectations for appropriate student section behavior.

“I know you can go to some schools and their student sections are crazy and ruthless, so we’ve kind of taken the step to make sure that sportsmanship is their focus. We’ve had meetings with them, we go through kind of things they can use while they’re at the games, and they were great this year,” Pelliccia said.

The Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award honors schools whose athletic teams demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship during the regular season and the FHSAA State Series. The award is presented to one school in each classification whose entire sports program best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship as demonstrated by its coaches, players and spectators. (File)

Meanwhile, Cypress Creek athletics as a whole has come a long way since its inaugural year — when softball was then the only program to achieve a winning campaign.

Pelliccia acknowledged it was initially difficult for the upstart school to field competitive athletics teams. It also proved challenging for students rezoned from rival high schools — Land O’ Lakes, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass Ranch — to gel.

Pelliccia observed: “All these kids came from different schools, so getting them to be a cohesive unit in Year One was our struggle; they were still all sort of enemies at that point.”

However, as the school embarks on its fourth year in existence, triumphs have begun to show.

Besides the sportsmanship designation, the Coyotes had a banner year in terms of on-field success.

The school’s football team made its first playoff appearance; the boys soccer and girls weightlifting teams were district champions; and, boys cross-country and girls weightlifting were district runner-up, among other notable benchmarks.

“The kids are taking pride in their athletic teams, and the success is coming and definitely showing,” Pelliccia said.

The athletic director himself has picked up some individual recognition, while serving as the school’s varsity boys soccer coach. Pelliccia was named Sunshine Athletic Conference East Boys Soccer Coach of the Year, after guiding the program to an 11-6 mark and a Class 4A regional semifinals appearance this past year.

Published June 10, 2020

Florida’s Sports Coast seeks rebound from COVID-19

By

The months of March and April historically yield the highest tourist development tax revenues seen all year in Pasco County, tourism officials say.

And, Experience Florida’s Sports Coast, the county’s tourism arm, was expecting another sunny spring — further buoyed by neighbor Tampa hosting WrestleMania and the NCAA March Madness college basketball tournament, among other nationwide sports attractions.

The $44 million, 98,000-square-foot Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County is still on track for opening this summer, and hosting a slew of multi-purpose sporting events beginning this fall. (File)

Then coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) delivered a lethal blow — coincidently around the time county tourism leaders were set to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Florida’s Sports Coast rebrand.

“This couldn’t have come at a worse time for us,” Florida’s Sports Coast tourism director Adam Thomas told The Laker/Lutz News. “We had new promotions to celebrate and really promote, and really, our balloon got shot down.”

The pandemic didn’t just rain on the tourism agency’s birthday parade. It also forced the postponement or cancellation of at least nine sporting events.

They include:

  • Amateur Athletic Union Florida West Coast Karate Championships in Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School in Spring Hill
  • Savage Race and Savage Blitz extreme mud and obstacle course races in Dade City
  • Gran Fondo Florida bicycle race in San Antonio
  • USA Hockey Adult Men’s and Women’s National Championships at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel
  • Florida Premier Football Club Spring Showcase at fields in Land O’ Lakes, Odessa and New Port Richey
  • Caliente Dare to Bare 5K in Land O’ Lakes
  • Amateur Junior Golf Association qualifier event at Saddlebrook Golf Club in Wesley Chapel
  • Sunshine State Games Figure Skating Championships at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel

But, Florida’s Sports Coast officials aren’t throwing in the towel just yet, even as hotel room nights and economic impact losses pile up.

Thomas said his office is working with the various events rightsholders and decisionmakers in hopes to reschedule many of those postponed events sometime later this year, once travel bans and stay-at-home orders are lifted.

“All we can do is keep those conversations going and keep a positive dialogue with each rightsholder but, at the end of the day, it’s up to them,” the tourism director said.

Meantime, Florida’s Sports Coast officials anticipate a strong rebound from mid-summer onward — as a slew of new sports and recreation facilities are set to come online.

Experience Florida’s Sports Coast, Pasco County’s tourism arm, is banking on a strong rebound, despite cancellations resulting from the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Among the most ballyhooed is the $44 million, 98,000-square-foot Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County in Wesley Chapel, which is eyeing a July opening. The indoor multi-purpose sports complex is on track to host eight different events in the fall, beginning with a September volleyball tournament.

Thomas called the facility “the big highlight of our summer,” also noting the venue scored a “major, major event” in basketball for 2021.

The county also expects to reap the benefits of the $4.9 million Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellbeing Center, set to open late summer. The facility figures to have a global reach and play host to large United States Tennis Association-level tournaments. “It’s a little nugget in our back pocket,” Thomas said.

Moreover, Snowcat Ridge, promoted as the state’s first alpine snow park, is still believed to be on track for a November opening in Dade City.

Florida’s Sports Coast communications manager Kolby Kuyck Gayson said that project is integral to the agency’s recovery plan, “because it’s a brand new attraction and it’s going to be hitting right at the time where we’re expecting people to finally be comfortable really getting out there and traveling.”

The tourism office has other reasons for guarded optimism, too.

The 10-daylong Tohrs2Hot4Ice roller derby national championships remains a go for late June and early July at AdventHealth Center Ice. The event could generate as many as 2,000 room nights and an economic impact north of $4 million, Thomas said.

Florida’s Sports Coast also is doubling down on promoting leisure activities, such as a 10-day bay scallop season along the Anclote River, which hopes to draw families within a 350-mile driving radius across Florida, south Georgia and so on.

Elsewhere, the tourism office is pushing to solicit more business meetings and corporate retreats to county hotels through the end of the year.

Pasco had a record year for tourism  in 2019 — hitting the million-visitor mark for the first time ever.

Per tourism office reports, 1,038,700 million visitors generated 1,217,021 room nights in paid accommodations between October 2018 and September 2019. The county’s annual bed tax collections surpassed $3 million for the first time, in that span.

Thomas acknowledged those numbers will be down across the board this year, but added fiscal year 2021 should be “a banner year” from an increased demand for vacations and visitations.

Thomas observed, “This is kind of an anomaly we’re dealing with, not just Pasco, but the entire global tourism marketplace is dealing with the same issue. The demand (for vacations) is at an all-time low now. A year from now, the demand is going to be at an all-time high. …There is a light at the end of the tunnel, there is a brighter day ahead of us.”

Published April 22, 2020

Local karate academy kicks to virtual

By

The dojo is closed for now, but karate lessons press on.

The novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has put a halt to many organized recreational activities, but Wesley Chapel-based Keiko Shin Karate Academy has found another way to keep members sharp, while staying home — via virtual classes using the Zoom online video conference platform.

Sensei Ernesto Fuentes now is offering virtual karate lessons from the Keiko Shin Karate Academy in Wesley Chapel. Fuentes opened the academy about 15 years ago. (Courtesy of Keiko Shin Karate Academy)

Many Keiko Shin students find themselves training in their living rooms. Others find enough space in their bedrooms, backyard or lanai.

Even Sensei Ernesto Fuentes, who operates Keiko Shin, makes it a point to change up his own backdrop when facilitating karate activities and workouts to students.

Though it’s not quite the same as the traditional Keiko Shin dojo on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, students make do to practice katas and kick-punch combinations.

“Our kids are so dedicated that they made room, they found room,” Fuentes said. “They moved some furniture, and you’d be surprised to see how much space they have.”

The online classes have been continuing for the past month or so, around when the Pasco County School Board suspended all in-person school events and extracurricular activities until at least May.

To Fuentes, the virtual offerings help maintain students’ progress in achieving their karate goals, also keeping them active and motivated.

“We train hard. Virtually or no, we do train hard,” said Fuentes, who started the academy 15 years ago. “Parents are happy to not see their kids sitting on the couch, playing video games.”

Even in cyberspace, the academy has maintained a full schedule, Monday through Friday.

Keiko Shin karate students practice forms and techniques from the comfort of their homes. (Courtesy of Keiko Shin Karate Academy)

Classes are offered for beginners and advanced athletes of all ages, including adults.

As many as 28 students have joined in at once for an online class, Fuentes said.

To help monitor and ensure proper techniques are followed by all, the sensei enlists the help of black belt-level teenagers to monitor the many split screens “and make sure the kids are doing it right.”

Fuentes said the handful of helpers frankly has made the transition to online easier. He explained it allows those younger, beginner students to get more personalized attention and correction — perhaps the biggest “limitation” of virtual classes, as compared to live, in-person instruction at the academy’s physical facility.

Either way, the virtual classes have kept entire families occupied with something positive to do.

Les Borowski is an adult black belt student at Keiko Shin. His two children, Nicholas and Olivia, are students, too. His wife participates in early morning workout sessions that are offered through the academy.

The regular activities — albeit online — have kept the family up to speed in their respective karate and fitness progression.

“It doesn’t seem like we’re affected, to be honest, by the COVID-19, because we’re still in shape, still doing what we’re supposed to. The only drawback is we cannot compete because all the tournaments are closed,” Borowski said.

He said his children “love” the virtual setup, because there’s no commute, which ultimately gives them more free time. “As soon as they’re done with karate, they can come back into their Minecraft or Fornite (video games), or whatnot,” he said.

Borowski noted he also makes it a point to jump in on his children’s regular Wednesday classes, as a bonding mechanism. “The three of us are bouncing around, so it’s pretty neat, actually,” he said.

This is how Sensei Ernesto Fuentes normally interacts with his students at Keiko Shin Karate Academy. (File)

Besides teaching varied karate forms and techniques, Fuentes has developed improvised at-home strength and conditioning warmups and workouts for both Keiko Shin students and anyone in the community, in lieu of full-service fitness centers now closed.

That includes bodyweight exercises, such as pushups, sit-ups and squats, along with plyometrics, like jumping in place. He’s also resorted to water bottles and one-gallon water jugs as makeshift dumbbells.

Borowski finds the creative workouts “very helpful” for families without home gyms or specialized equipment.

“Sensei’s very adept at using all the items you find around the house — chairs, water bottles, things like that — so he builds the exercises around everyday stuff that everybody has at home already,” Borowski said.

For 17-year-old black belt Lauren Anderson, Keiko Shin’s virtual classes keep her moving and focused through the relative monotony of this new temporary stay-at-home lifestyle.

“If it weren’t for this,” Anderson said, “I would be on my couch, and I would feel like I’m lazy and not doing anything productive.”

Anderson, a student at Wiregrass Ranch High School, simply connects to the classes each week through her smartphone.

While she admits it’s “not the same as being at the dojo,” Anderson said the online instruction is “a really good way to stay in shape, and keep my karate going.”

She added:  “I get a full workout, I’m sweating, I’m sore, even though I’m at home.”

Anderson has been a member of the karate academy for six years.

Though the virtual setup is right now the only option to maintain karate skills, the teen is hoping to someday return to the Wesley Chapel dojo she loves, after the coronavirus pandemic passes.

“It’s just nice to be there and have that open space, and have that communication and personal connection with people, and I actually get to talk to people, and sensei can actually go up to me and say something,” Anderson said.

Meanwhile, Fuentes insists Keiko Shin will follow guidelines put forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other state and federal health officials, before reopening the academy.

That means virtual karate lessons will continue indefinitely, he said.

“We try to keep everyone safe and the families safe,” Fuentes said. “To be honest, I’m dying to have my kids back in the academy, but whenever it’s safe and when (health officials) decide it’s safe to come back, then we’re going to open our dojo.”

For information, visit KeikoShin.com, or email .

Published April 15, 2020

Wiregrass sports campus to open in July

By

A hard hat tour and official logo unveil signaled construction is moving swiftly on the highly anticipated Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County, at 3211 Lajuana Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Several Pasco County officials and other local dignitaries gathered on Jan. 28 to get an up-close look at the forthcoming $44 million project.

Before revealing the new logo for the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County, Commission Chairman Mike Moore offered a few remarks about the project to those taking a hard hat tour of the site. Behind Moore are Adam Thomas, director of Experience Florida’s Sports Coast, left, and Richard Blalock, CEO of RADDSports. (Christine Holtzman)

The 98,000 square feet of indoor space will be used primarily for basketball, volleyball, cheerleading and more than a dozen other sports. And, there will be two adjacent outdoor multi-use fields for soccer, lacrosse and other events.

Marshall Quarles, project manager for contractor Ajax Building Corp., said the complex is “over 50%” complete, and still on track for a July opening.

The project manager also said bio-cushioned hardwood floors will be installed sometime in late April.

“We try to push that (hardwood install) as long as we can, because obviously we don’t want to have to go back and do any work on top of it,” Quarles explained.

With a timeline in place, sports events have already been booked for the remainder of the year.

Officials said as many as six events have been booked for late 2020, which will equate to 2,460 room nights.

The first is a Sept. 11 high school volleyball tournament that will draw teams from Hillsborough, Pasco and Orange counties, said Richard Blalock, president and CEO of RADD Sports, the private sports management company tasked with operating and managing the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus.

That initial volleyball tournament will serve as a soft opening of sorts for subsequent tournaments, Blalock said, “to make sure the nets come down, the scoreboards work, benches are in the right place, all that kind of stuff.”

While still months away from completion, Blalock already is getting inquiries from youth and amateur sports tournament directors looking to lock up their events at the facility in 2021 and beyond. Blalock has said he hopes to book more than 30 events in the facility’s first full year, then grow from there. “I’ve got organizations fighting over dates,” he said.

Marshall Quarles, project manager for Ajax Building Corporation, uses a map to explain the layout of the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, during a hard hat tour.

The multi-purpose sports complex, which features 37-foot-high ceilings, is large enough to hold either 16 volleyball games or eight basketball games at one time — the floors separated by a cheer/dance studio, fitness center and second-level mezzanine. The floor spaces also can be converted to accommodate less traditional sports such as pickleball (up to 16 courts) or futsal (up to eight courts), and more than a dozen other sports and activities.

Other notable amenities include an educational lab, full-service kitchen, a concessions area and snack bar. The indoor facility will have a capacity of 1,100, and the campus will have 700 available parking spaces, officials said.

Blalock pointed out multiple events could be going on simultaneously. For instance, one side of the gym could be used for a volleyball tournament, while the other side could be used for another sport or even a convention. “Our whole concept is to be as flexible as it can be. That’s why it’s designed the way it is,” said Blalock.

Blalock also revealed there’s been active discussions with soccer teams from the United Kingdom to utilize the Wesley Chapel-based campus as a year-round indoor/outdoor training residency. In addition to the outdoor fields, Blalock said the campus meets the regulations for indoor soccer. Meanwhile, soccer teams could room at an on-site 128-room Marriott Residence Inn that will be phased in at a later date through private funds.

“It appeals to them. They can come right here, stay, train, and everything’s in walking distance,” he said.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore underscored the expected impact the facility will have on the area’s economy and tourism industry, during the facility preview.

Said Moore, “As people visit our community for gymnastics, volleyball, cheerleading, basketball, wrestling and so many more sporting activities, they’re going to travel with their families, stay in Pasco County hotels, shop at Pasco County stores — to help businesses, small and large alike, grow.”

But, the campus figures to be more than simply boosting county tourism figures.

It also will serve as a community sports hub for local residents, including youth camps, recreational games and more.

The plan is for the facility to be open to the public Monday through Thursday, while Friday through Sunday is set aside for weekend tournaments.

Other uses include such events as graduations, trade shows, cultural and art fairs. Additionally, the facility will be deployed as a “shelter of last resort” in the case of a hurricane, as it will be equipped with a generator.

Moore called the campus “a public asset that will help continue to grow Pasco County’s tourism industry and open up jobs for our community, as well as providing athletic opportunities to local citizens and children alike.”

Published February 05, 2020

Local fisherman enjoys trip of a lifetime

By

An August saltwater fishing adventure to the Mississippi River Delta in Louisiana marked “a once in a lifetime trip” for Wesley Chapel’s Keven Barber.

Even better yet, it was all caught on national television.

Barber was featured as part of the Union Sportsman’s Alliance “Brotherhood Outdoors” television series on the Sportsman Channel.

Keven Barber hauled in a number of 40-inch long to 50-inch long redfish native to Louisiana. ‘Every fish I caught was a personal best,’ he said. (Courtesy of Union Sportsman’s Alliance)

The episode premiered on Oct. 8 and re-aired several times during that week. It can now be viewed anytime on MyOutdoorTV.com.

“Brotherhood Outdoors” is described as “a unique TV series that tells the stories of hardworking union sportsmen and women, and takes on them on the hunting or fishing trip of a lifetime.”

The Union Sportsman’s Alliance each year selects a handful of union members for the show. Selections are based in part on passion for the outdoors, union membership and involvement, volunteer efforts and more.

Barber, an ironworker affiliated with Tampa Bay-based Ironworkers Local 397, fit the profile of what showrunners were looking for.

The avid outdoorsman said he’s been fishing, well, “since birth.”

Growing up in East Pasco, Barber would fish with his father and grandfather on lakes throughout Land O’ Lakes and Zephyrhills. He hasn’t stopped angling since.

“I’ve always loved fishing,” Barber said, in a recent interview with The Laker/Lutz News. “When you go fishing, you get time to spend with your family. It’s innocent, quiet. You never know what you’re going to catch. You never know what you’re going to see.”

Barber conveys the same level of enthusiasm about fishing as he does in giving back to the community.

The father of four boys is a scout leader, and longtime area youth and high school football coach.

This year he launched the Wesley Chapel Coyotes Youth Football and Cheerleading League, with the Wesley Chapel Athletic Association.

He also was one of 65 labor volunteers who in May helped build a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk and fishing pier at the Suncoast Youth Conservation Center in Apollo Beach.

The $800,000 project took nine days and 2,300 volunteer hours, and was the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance’s largest conservation project to date.

Barber said he hopes the new fishing pier indoctrinates a new generation of fisherman. The volunteer program also will include the donation of 500 fishing poles to youth at a Nov. 2 pier dedication ceremony.

Barber underscored the importance of fishing and getting outdoors for youth: “It definitely keeps them out of trouble, plus it gives them a hobby to do the rest of their life.”

He added: “The kids just need to be given a chance and opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, and (for) some of them, this will be the first time they’ve ever been out fishing — and hopefully they enjoy it and continue to do it throughout their life.”

As for Barber’s televised venture to Louisiana, it really couldn’t have gone better.

He joined Union Sportsman’s Alliance Conservation and Communications Director Forrest Parker for two days of redfishing and a night of bowfishing in the untamed marshes and swamplands of Venice, Louisiana. He celebrated his 40th birthday out on the waters, too. “I was like, ‘Man, this is awesome,’” Barber recalled.

Barber caught a number of Louisiana redfish that measured 40 inches to 50 inches long — considerably bulkier than the 15-inch to 20-inch redfish he often snags at the Skyway and Fort DeSoto fishing piers in St. Petersburg.

Louisiana is the natural habitat of redfish, he noted, hence the larger hauls.

“Every fish I caught was a personal best. It was unbelievable,” Barber said. “We used the popping rigs, and we were catching monsters in 8-foot of water that was murky. The water wasn’t even clear at the time.”

Besides landing giant redfish, Barber said fishing in Louisiana is “totally different” compared to the Florida’s Gulf Coast, noting there’s more inlets, canals, marsh and swamps.

“It was pretty neat. There’s a lot of good fishing out there,” he said.

Navigating Louisiana water wasn’t the only new first-time experience for Barber. Being in front of omnipresent television cameras for multiple days was another.

“I was kind of nervous at first with the camera, but after a while, it just becomes natural,” Barber said. “They said, ‘Do whatever, act normal, and we’ll edit out whatever we need to.’ I said, ‘I hope so, because there might be some bleeps in there!’”

“Hopefully, I didn’t embarrass myself too much,” he joked.

Published October 16, 2019

Prep football midseason review

By

The 2019 Florida high school football regular season has reached the midway point. Here’s a closer look at how teams and players are faring from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

The Gaither Cowboys are off to a blistering 5-0 start and are ranked among the state’s top 10 teams in Class 6A.
(Courtesy of Gaither Athletics)

Perfect performers
At the midway mark, there are three programs sporting undefeated records — Academy at the Lakes, Gaither and Steinbrenner. What do each have in common? Potent offenses backed by efficient, veteran quarterback play.

  • Academy at the Lakes is averaging over 39 points per game. Junior quarterback Jalen Brown, a fourth-year starter, has completed 55% of throws for 785 yards, 14 touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s also the team’s leading rusher (445 rush yards, six touchdowns).
  • Gaither is averaging over 38 points per game. Senior quarterback Tony Bartalo, a two-year starter, has completed 63% of throws for 1,320 yards, 19 touchdowns and three interceptions. He currently boasts multiple Division I offers.
  • Steinbrenner is averaging over 48 points per game. Senior quarterback Haden Carlson, a three-year starter, has completed 64% of throws for 783 yards, 12 touchdowns and one interception. He is a FIU (Florida International University) verbal commit.

Also notable: Wiregrass Ranch (5-1) has received stellar quarterback play from sophomore Rocco Becht, who’s posted a 56% completion rate, 936 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Land O’ Lakes Gators went 7-3 last year, but have struggled much of this season with a 1-5 mark thus far. (File)

Surprising struggles
Entering the 2019 season, Land O’ Lakes and Zephyrhills were expected to build off winning seasons and compete for a playoff spot in their respective classifications. But early season struggles has all dampened those hopes for both teams.

  • The Gators finished 7-3 last season — its first winning campaign since 2013. But, they’ve hobbled to a 0-5 start before finally securing a 44-0 win over Freedom last week. A team thin on seniors and an anemic running game has magnified the struggles.
  • One of the most consistent and dominant programs in Pasco County in recent years, the Bulldogs haven’t lost four or more games since 2012 and haven’t missed the postseason since 2013. But after losing 22 seniors from last year’s 11-1 squad, the Bulldogs have shown less bark this season. They lost their first three games, but have begun to show life with recent road wins against Wesley Chapel and Tarpon Springs, respectively.

New coaches finding their way

  • Sunlake has jumped to a respectable 3-3 mark under first-year head coach Trey Burdick, holding his own in assuming the role previously held by one of the county’s winningest coaches in Bill Browning. Under Burdick, the team is on pace to surpass the 4-6 mark the program has had each of the past two seasons. Better yet, Burdick, a longtime assistant under Browning, steered the Seahawks to a 34-23 victory over crosstown rival Land O’ Lakes in the annual ‘Butter Bowl’ showdown.
  • New Pasco head coach Jason Stokes already has led the struggling program to as many wins as it did all of last season. And while the 2-4 mark doesn’t seem all that great, the Pirates have battled hard in one possession losses to Sunlake and Springstead, respectively. With that, this year’s “9-Mile War” rivalry game against Zephyrhills should provide some more intrigue; Zephyrhills has won the past four contests. Stokes is no stranger to being a head coach in the Tampa Bay area — he steered Gaither to three playoff appearances between 2011 to 2016, and also had stints at Bloomingdale and Middleton, respectively.

Stat stuffers
Here’s a look at a top statistical performer from each high school in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area:

Hillsborough County

  • Reggie Johnson II, Carrollwood Day, junior defensive end: 15 tackles, three sacks
  • Hussein Hafiz, Freedom, senior linebacker: 12 tackles (five for loss), three sacks
  • Deveon Knighton, Gaither, senior receiver: 28 receptions, 431 yards, six touchdowns
  • Deon Silas, Steinbrenner, junior tailback: 828 all-purpose yards, 11 touchdowns

Pasco County

  • Adrian Leverette, Academy at the Lakes, junior tailback: 379 scrimmage yards, five touchdowns
  • Jack Miller, Bishop McLaughlin, freshman receiver: 19 receptions, 502 yards, three touchdowns
  • Jehlani Warren, Cypress Creek, senior quarterback: 57% completions, 515 passing yards, five touchdowns, three interceptions
  • Ethan Forrester, Land O’ Lakes, senior quarterback, 39% completions, 790 passing yards, seven touchdowns, four interceptions; 336 rushing touchdowns, five touchdowns
  • Gabriel Barnes, Pasco, junior linebacker: 49 tackles, 20 hurries, three sacks
  • Mark Anderson, Sunlake, junior receiver: 475 all-purpose yards, three touchdowns
  • Brenden Maddox, Wesley Chapel, senior fullback/linebacker: 269 rush yards, four touchdowns; 45 tackles (six for loss)
  • Keith Walker, Wiregrass Ranch, senior receiver: 735 all-purpose yards, 10 touchdowns
  • Tyler Davis, Zephyrhills Christian, senior tailback: 616 rush yards, six touchdowns
  • Zyree Roundtree, junior tailback: 483 rush yards, four touchdowns

Schools in Laker/Lutz News coverage area (and their current 2019 records)

Hillsborough County:

  • Carrollwood Day School Patriots (0-5 overall)
  • Freedom High School Patriots (1-4)
  • Gaither High School Cowboys (5-0)
  • Steinbrenner High School Warriors (5-0)

Pasco County:

  • Academy at the Lakes Wildcats (eight-man) (4-0 overall)
  • Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School Hurricanes (1-5)
  • Cypress Creek Middle High School Coyotes (2-3)
  • Land O’ Lakes High School Gators (1-5)
  • Pasco High School Pirates (2-4)
  • Sunlake High School Seahawks (3-3)
  • Wesley Chapel High School Wildcats (2-3)
  • Wiregrass Ranch High School Bulls (5-1)
  • Zephyrhills Christian Academy Warriors (3-2)
  • Zephyrhills High School Bulldogs (2-3)

Published October 2, 2019

New sports complex expected to attract national events

By

With concrete footers poured and steel beams heading vertical, the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex is a step closer to its much-anticipated opening.

The $44 million sports complex is targeted for a mid-July 2020 soft opening — more than two years after a celebrated groundbreaking ceremony that marked the beginning of construction at 3211 Lajuana Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Once completed, the 98,000-square-foot indoor space will feature a multipurpose sports layout that accommodates up to eight basketball courts or 16 volleyball courts, plus a separate competitive cheer and dance studio, fitness and athletic training center, and other amenities.

Concrete footers and steel beams represent construction progress on the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex. The 98,000-square-foot facility is anticipated to be a regional and national draw for youth and amateur sports. (Courtesy of RADD Sports)

Besides primarily basketball, volleyball and cheer offerings, the Pasco County-owned facility also will be able to accommodate martial arts, wrestling, gymnastics, curling, badminton, soccer, lacrosse and pickleball.  Secondary uses of the complex will include conventions, banquets, exhibits, concerts and so on.

Originally, the facility was expected to open later this year.

But, the project experienced some delays.

“That goes with a major development project like this,” said Richard Blalock, president and CEO of RADD Sports, the private sports management company tasked with operating and managing the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex.

Those delays included inclement weather, permitting issues and redesigns of the facility to make it hurricane-resistant, Blalock said.

“When you’ve got as many moving parts that’s involved in this project, it’s just a matter of getting all the contracts lined up, and the contractor online and bids opened,” he said.

The facility is being promoted as a regional and national attraction.

The indoor gym on weekdays will operate as a community-based sports center where local youth, adults and seniors will be able to practice and play.

Weekends, meanwhile, will be set aside to play host to national travel tournaments, competitions and other events to generate hotel stays and tax revenues for the county.

The facility’s first weekend tournaments aren’t expected to be booked until around October 2020, Blalock said.

The target is scheduling roughly 25 to 30 weekend events during the first full year and then grow it from there, Blalock said.

He mentioned RADD Sports already has received numerous inquiries from youth and amateur sports organizations asking about the facility’s availability.

“We’ve got ‘em lined up now, wanting to sign,” Blalock said.

The complex also will host a series of weeklong sports camps each July or August, which Blalock said otherwise is a slow period in the travel sports marketplace.

Those camps would allow for local school sports teams to get advanced instruction and match up against teams from all over the country, Blalock said.

“They’re not going to have to travel very much and we’re bringing all the competition in, so it’ll be a good marriage,” he said.

Not unlike nearby AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel, the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex figures each year to draw hundreds, if not thousands, of youth and amateur travel sports teams and their families.

The $44 million Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex is scheduled to open in mid-July next year.

Officials are excited about the prospects for Pasco County tourism.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore, who chairs the county’s tourist development council, suggests the facility will be “a huge boon for the local economy.”

Said Moore, “People travel from all over the nation to go these tournaments and these facilities. They all have to stay in hotels, they’re all eating in restaurants, they’re all buying the gas.”

Moore said projections show the facility will generate annual revenues of roughly $4 million to $4.5 million each of first five years or so in operation, not including additional hotel and retail tax revenues generated.

The commissioner emphasized that it’s key for those traveling visitors to stay overnight locally instead of heading to Hillsborough County. It’s something he’s assured will happen, pointing out the county already has 38 hotels “with more coming.”

Moore explained: “Previously, when there’s a lot of tournaments that came into the county, a lot of the families were staying in Hillsborough County, so a lot of the local businesses didn’t see that revenue. Well now, we can handle those families, we can handle these tournaments.”

To take it another step further, Moore said the county’s tourism department is developing a marketing campaign to encourage the myriad sports travel teams and visitors to explore the county’s other offerings, outside the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex. The county’s tourism arm officially rebranded itself as “Florida’s Sports Coast” earlier this year.

Said Moore, “We want them to take the day and maybe go rent a boat and go kayaking or go fishing with one of our guides, or hit some of the islands. That’s another benefit for the families coming — great activities outside of the sports or watching their kids play.”

Outdoor offerings on tap, too
The Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex will be more than just an indoor space.

The complex eventually will include seven outdoor sports fields, an amphitheater with an event lawn, walking trails, pavilions and a playground. There also will be an adjacent 128-room Marriott Residence Inn built with private funds by Mainsail Development Group.

Many of those features are expected to be finished in Phase II of the project, about a year or so later, officials say.

The entire complex is being built on 80 acres of land donated years ago by the Porter family, developers of Wiregrass Ranch.

Several proposals for some type of sports facility on the land fell apart over the years, including one for a baseball complex in 2015.

But, with the mix of indoor and outdoor components, the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex provides “the biggest bang for our taxpayers’ buck,” Moore said.

“It’ll be a really big thing for the area,” the commissioner said. “When you think about the area, there’s really nothing like this around here at all. And, if you see how well similar facilities do, this is going to be strong.”

He added: “It’s nice to obviously see the progress that’s being made. It won’t be long. It’ll be done before we know it. It’ll sneak right up on us.”

Meanwhile, the complex adds to a growing list of premier sports offerings in the East Pasco area — with construction underway on a multi-million tennis center in Zephyrhills and preliminary plans for a multi-million outdoor aquatics center in Land O’ Lakes. Even Cypress Creek Middle High, in Wesley Chapel, with its a state-of-the-art rubberized running track and field space has been highly regarded for hosting events.

Blalock underscored what all that could mean for the county’s quest to position itself as a sports tourism destination: “For the most part, we’ll be able to run any type of Olympic event in a short radius, and it’s crazy. There’s nowhere I’m aware of in the southeast, or anywhere in the country really, that can really do that.”

He also posited this: “If everyone in the community pulls together and we work together, and all the facilities work together, it could really, truly become an amateur sports destination that equals nowhere else.”

Published September 25, 2019