The Laker/Lutz News

RADD Sports

If you build it, they will come

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For years, the site where Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus is now thriving was the topic of —  well, conversation.

The birth of the event destination dates back to 2001, when a feasibility study identified Pasco County as a possible sports tourism hotspot.

Actual plans for the athletic center didn’t come together until 2015.

The Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County sits on 80 acres of land in Wesley Chapel. Since opening, in 2020, it has attracted a wide array of national and regional tournaments. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The facility broke ground in June 2018 and it opened in August 2020 — in the midst of a pandemic.

Rather than derailing the success of the sports destination, though, the facility managed to attract tournaments that had intended to go elsewhere but couldn’t because the place they intended to go was closed.

During the pandemic, staff with Florida’s Sports Coast — Pasco County’s tourism arm — also set the stage for future business by developing relationships with event planners.

Late last year, the Florida Sports Foundation named the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus in Wesley Chapel as Florida’s Small Market of the Year for its contributions to the state’s $57.4 billion sports industry.

The recognition didn’t exactly surprise Consuelo Sanchez, sports development and tourism manager of Florida’s Sports Coast.

After all, Sanchez said, efforts to promote the venue at national and international trade shows had been ongoing for years.

“Once it opened, in the middle of a pandemic, it exploded,” she said. “Everyone wanted to come here. All of these event organizers that we had been talking to for years, they wanted to come,” Sanchez said.

She attributes excellent customer service as a key ingredient for the facility’s success.

“Once, they came, they loved the venue, and moving forward, they want to keep hosting these events (here) on an annual basis,” Sanchez said.

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

The sports campus also was developed as part of a private-public partnership between the Pasco County Commission, the county’s tourism agency, and the Porter family, who donated the land.

When the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus isn’t booked for special events or tournaments, the court space can be used by local leagues and athletes. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Designed for flexibility
The field house, which is the centerpiece of the campus, has two 35,500-square-foot multipurpose courts featuring eight drop-down basketball hoops and 16 volleyball nets.

It has a 5,000-square-foot indoor cheer zone.

The campus also has two full-size, outdoor multipurpose fields and will be getting five additional fields to wrap up phase one.

The facility can accommodate up to 17 different sports.

Already, it has attracted amateur events sanctioned by several national governing bodies, such as USA Volleyball, USA Gymnastics, Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball, AAU volleyball, Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), Florida Senior Games, Special Olympics, and U.S. Club Soccer.

Recently, it finished the Christmas Invitational, which brought in 148 teams from around the country, said Adam Thomas, tourism director for Florida’s Sports Coast.

“These are top-level girls basketball players that are top recruits. We had eight of the top basketball teams from around the country, playing in our tournament at Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County,” Thomas said.

Last June, the facility hosted the first ever Tampa Bay Pro Combine, which brought in Division I and Division II college players, eligible for the pro draft, to showcase their hoop skills.

It will be hosting its second rendition of that event in April, in which 51 or 52 players will compete in the combine.

Local benefits, too
Besides attracting tournaments and tourism dollars to the area, the cutting-edge facility offers significant advantages for local aspiring athletes.

There’s a separate cheer and dance studio at Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, in Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Local leagues and players can take part in programming at the sports campus, when the facility is not booked for outside tournaments or special events.

“We have kids in Pasco County that participate in travel ball. They participate in travel ball for volleyball or basketball or gymnastics or soccer or whatever sport that we’re hosting at the sports campus,” Thomas said.

“Their level of experience now gets to increase because we’re bringing in better competition, from a national perspective. So, they can compete against top-level athletes,” he added.

Another plus? Local athletes can sleep in their own beds, eat meals at home and forego the expense of travel, he said.

The venue continues to expand its events and programming, and Florida Sport’s Coast staff now are working to secure bookings from 2023 through 2026.

Staff is eyeing one opportunity, in particular, which has great promise, the tourism director said.

“It’s a North American event,” Thomas said, adding he is not yet able to disclose specifics.

“It would be the first time that this event would ever be held in the Southeast Region of the United States,” Thomas said.

And what’s happened so far is just scratching the surface of possibilities for the sports campus.

Once the first phase wraps up, there will be a phase two and phase three.

Six-foot-11-inch Jordy Tshimanga, from Dayton University, goes up for a basket prior to the start of the slam dunk and 3-point shot competition.

How those phases will play out isn’t yet clear, so stay tuned.

Facility features

  • 98,000 square feet of indoor space
  • Two 35,500-square-foot gyms
  • Separate cheer/dance studio
  • Bio-cushioned hardwood floors
  • Multisport electronic scoreboards
  • 37-foot high ceilings
  • Can accommodate 16 volleyball games or eight full-court basketball games at once
  • Floors can be converted for sports such as pickleball (up to 16 courts), futsal (up to eight courts), and large-scale wrestling, mixed martial arts (MMA) or karate tournaments

Coming soon
Sampling of events coming soon to the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus:

  • Feb. 26 – Feb. 27: East Coast Cheer
  • March 5 – March 6: Mark Foster V-Ball
  • April 23 – April 24: RADD Volleyball Battle of the Bay
  • May 7 – May 8: RADD AAU Volleyball
  • June 25 – June 26: RADD Futsal
  • July 23 – July 24: SOH Elite Basketball

Published February 16, 2022

Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus ready for play

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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

Wiregrass sports campus to open in July

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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

Top moments in sports during 2018

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Teams captured state titles and local athletes turned in outstanding performances, during a year that brought shining moments and lasting memories.

Here are some of the highlights, from across The Laker/Lutz News coverage area:

USA Women’s Hockey, fans celebrate gold in Wesley Chapel
Just days after celebrating a gold medal win in the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, the USA women’s ice hockey team returned to where their remarkable journey started — Wesley Chapel.

The U.S. women’s national ice hockey team posed for pictures on Feb. 28 at Florida Hospital Center Ice in Wesley Chapel. The team spent more than five months training at the facility and lodging at Saddlebrook Resort. (File)

That’s where the team spent more than five months preparing for the Winter Olympics, training at Florida Hospital Center Ice and lodging at Saddlebrook Resort. It’s also where daily practices, off-ice testing and intra-squad scrimmages were used to determine the 23 players selected in May for the Team USA roster.

The team spent the better part of an hour on the afternoon of Feb. 28 greeting fans, posing for pictures and signing autographs at the Center Ice facility.

The event drew excitement from hockey enthusiasts, such as Wesley Chapel’s Rob Simonelli, who was prideful of the fact the Olympic team trained in his hometown.

“I just was excited that this was their home base. Just following them when they made this their home was kind of cool,” Simonelli said, at the time.

“They’re really friendly, and it’s nice that they decided to come and just kind of say ‘Hey’ to the people,” he added.

The surprise visit was part of a nationwide media blitz that also took them to Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and New York City.

The week prior, the team defeated Canada in a 3-2 shootout to win gold, ending a 20-year drought for the women’s hockey program.

Florida Hospital Center Ice was picked as Team USA’s training ground over such hockey facilities in Boston, Chicago and other cities — placing a feather in Pasco County’s cap in its quest to become a top-notch sports tourism destination.

The time spent by the Olympic gold medalists in Wesley Chapel led them to later be dubbed by some residents as ‘Pasco’s team.’

The stay in Wesley Chapel likewise proved special for the elite athletes, from top-flight training digs and hospitality, to the warm, sunny weather.

Said defenseman Cayla Barnes, then the youngest member of Team USA at 19 years old: “These facilities were awesome, the staff here was amazing, and they really helped us with everything we needed. It was great to be down here, such nice weather, and really nice to train out here in preparation for the games.”

Added two-time Olympian and forward Kendall Coyne: “Hockey in Florida was new to a lot of us, but I don’t think it took long for us to realize that hockey is serious in Florida.”

Local small-school sprinter wins state title
It’s not often a small-school athlete gets to celebrate on a big stage.

But, that’s what happened to Zephyrhills Christian Academy senior Evan Miller.

He captured the Class 1A boys 100-meter dash title in a blistering 10.75 seconds at the Florida High School Athletic Association Track & Field 2018 Championships, at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.

Zephyrhills Christian Academy senior Evan Miller won first place in the 1A boys 100-meter dash in 10.75 seconds at the Florida High School Athletic Association Track & Field 2018 Championships.

The senior was also the final leg of the school’s gold-medal winning 4×100-meter relay team that scorched the competition with a 42.10 second mark — joining junior NyJohn Moody, sophomore Tyler Davis and senior Calvin Samuel.

Those marked the only first-place finishes at the state track & field meet among athletes from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

It’s also noteworthy, considering Zephyrhills Christian has about 250 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade and was in just its second year offering a boys and girls track & field program.

For Miller, the memorable showing had been a year in the making.

The previous summer, the multi-sport athlete suffered a broken ankle during a 7-on-7 football tournament.

The injury forced Miller, a standout defensive back, to miss several games in the fall as a member of the Zephyrhills Christian varsity football team.

Unable to hit the gridiron, Miller hit the starting blocks instead, as part of his rehabilitation process.

The newfound sport proved to be his true calling.

Miller linked up with well-regarded AAU track coach and personal trainer BB Roberts, who runs the Wesley Chapel-based Speed Starz Track Club, and lists NFL and MLB athletes as training clientele.

Roberts, a former track star in his own right at Wesley Chapel High School and Coffeyville (Kansas) Community College, worked to correct Miller’s running form and technique, among other tips.

The fixtures shaved Miller’s 100-meter personal record from a still-impressive 11.2 to a 10.69 — which he set at the Steinbrenner High Invitational in early April.

Miller is now a freshman sprinter at Division I University of South Carolina, where he’s training under the Olympic pedigree of legendary head coach Curtis Frye.

Academy at the Lakes wins first state softball title
Buoyed by a longtime Division I coach in Diane Stephenson, one of the state’s top arms in Lexi Kilfoyl, and a potent offense averaging nearly seven runs per game, the 2018 Academy at the Lakes varsity softball team lived up to the preseason hype — finishing with a remarkable 26-4 record and winning its first-ever Class 2A state championship.

The state crown was a follow-up to an impressive 20-win season and regional final appearance in 2017.

Academy at the Lakes varsity softball won the FHSAA Class 2A state title on May 22 after defeating Monticello Aucilla Christian 1-0 in 11 innings. The Wildcats finished the season 26-4.

For the Wildcats, the most dramatic moment of the 2018 campaign came in its most important game.

Academy at the Lakes outlasted Monticello Aucilla Christian 1-0 in 11 innings on May 22 at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach, in a game that featured a pitcher’s duel through wet, muddy conditions.

Kilfoyl, then a junior, outlasted Aucilla Christian senior and Florida signee Elizabeth Hightower by unleashing a 13-strikeout, fourth-hit shutout.

The softball sensation and Alabama signee also did some work with the bat.

Kilfoyl was responsible for the game-winning single that allowed freshman shortstop Brooke Blankenship to score on a two-out single in the 11th inning — unseating an Aucilla Christian program that had won state crowns two of the last three years.

Forecasting ahead, a state title repeat for the Wildcats  in 2019 certainly seems within reach.

Kilfoyl and Stephenson return, as do much of the key contributors from its state-winning squad.

Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex breaks ground
The Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex’s June 7 groundbreaking represented a major step for Pasco County, as it looks to become a premier sports tourism destination in the years ahead.

Expected to open in late 2019, the $44 million, 98,000-square-foot complex is slated to feature eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, a cheer and dance studio, a fitness center, and sports medicine and athletic training offerings.

The $44 million Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex is expected to open in late 2019. The 98,000-square-foot complex will have eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, a cheer and dance studio, a fitness center, and sports medicine and athletic training offerings. Also, besides the indoor gym, the complex will have seven outdoor sports fields, an amphitheater with an event lawn, walking trails, pavilions and a playground.

In addition to its indoor offerings, the complex will have seven outdoor sports fields, an amphitheater with an event lawn, walking trails, pavilions and a playground.

The complex — being built off State Road 54, near The Shops at Wiregrass— will operate on Monday through Thursday as a community-based sports center for youth, adults and seniors, while weekends will be set aside to host tournaments, competitions and other events that will generate hotel stays and tax revenues for the county.

The county will own the facility and share in anticipated profits with RADD Sports, a private company that will operate and manage the sports complex.

Officials say annual economic impact would be about $6.5 million for the new facility. Over 10 years, about $8 million or more in sales and use taxes would be generated, not including tourism taxes from hotel stays, officials say.

The  complex adds to a growing list of premier, state-of-the art sports facilities in east Pasco — and further markets the area as a sports tourism destination primarily for youth and amateur sports.

Other nearby offerings include Florida Hospital Center Ice in Wesley Chapel, which opened in early 2017 as the largest hockey complex in the southeastern United States; Saddlebrook Resort & Spa, an upscale resort renowned for world-class golf and tennis training; and, Wesley Chapel District Park, which sits on 144 acres and contains 10 full-size athletic fields, and lighted outdoor tennis courts and basketball courts. Efforts also recently began in a quest to build a premier aquatics facility in Land O’ Lakes, as well as a multimillion dollar tennis complex in Zephyrhills.

Land O’ Lakes High honors ‘Voice of the Gators’
For Land O’ Lakes High School, the 2018 ‘Butter Bowl’ will go down as one of the most historic, as the Gators football team finally cracked an eight-game losing streak to crosstown rival Sunlake High School, with a 35-24 home victory.

Matt Connor, top, and Meaghan Connor of Land O’ Lakes positioned Mike Connor on the sideline area for a dedication of the press box in his name.

The most enduring moment of that Sept. 14 evening, however, happened right before kickoff.

That’s when a special dedication ceremony was held to honor longtime athletics booster Mike Connor. The press box space at John Benedetto Stadium named the Mike Connor Family Press Box.

The dedication drew dozens of friends and family, as well as current and former Gators coaches, who showed their support and appreciation for Connor, who passed away a month later at age 69.

Connor, a volunteer at the school since 1989, was instrumental in building a sustainable athletic and football booster club. His efforts also helped established a yearly scholarship fund for a male and female at the high school.

Connor, too, served as the ‘Voice of the Gators,’ calling the action of every Friday night home game for nearly two decades, and creating catchphrases, such as ‘a gaggle of Gators.’

An area business owner and Land O’ Lakes resident since 1982, Connor operated Taco John’s on the corner of State Road 54 and U.S. 41, as well as Beef O’ Brady’s in Wilderness Lakes. He was also noted for being a key part of the early successes of the Flapjack Festival and, later, in helping to create the Land O’ Lakes Swamp Fest.

Academy at the Lakes wins its second straight football title
Following last year’s historic eight-man state title run, questions swirled about how the Academy at the Lakes football program would handle a newfound target on its back and the loss of several impactful players.

The team responded with aplomb— finishing with a perfect 10-0 record and winning its second straight eight-man state title, downing Miami Citi Christian Academy Fire 36-18 in the Florida Christian Association of Private and Parochial Schools (FCAPPS) championship game on Dec. 8, at Southeastern University in Lakeland.

In contrast to last year’s Wildcats team that relied heavily on do-it-all running back/linebacker Daniel Gonzalez — the  2017 Florida Christian Association of Private and Parochial Schools (FCAPPS) Heisman Trophy winner — the 2018 squad was forced to play together in all phases of the game.

Filled with new faces and inexperience at some positions, the Wildcats proved to be greater than the sum of its parts, winning games by way of stout defense and timely offense.

The Wildcats, too, showed their share of resiliency throughout the season.

For instance, they withstood a nagging early season injury to senior tailback Jamaal Johnson, who was expected to be one of the most dynamic players on offense; instead, he was only able to play bits and pieces of games from mid-October through the end of the season.

Meanwhile, in the playoffs, the Wildcats overcame a 16-0 halftime deficit in the state semifinals game against Duval Charter, ripping off 27 unanswered points to send them to the state championship game. The state title game also proved to be a test of mettle, as the Wildcats held onto a 22-18 lead late into the fourth quarter before pulling away for good.

Here’s a rundown of some other notable highlights throughout 2018:

  • Zephyrhills shuffleboard great Earl Ball surpasses 1,000 career points
  • Steinbrenner High School baseball coach John Crumbley enters the Florida High School Athletic Hall of Fame
  • Gaither High School alum/Florida International University quarterback Alex McGough is drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft
  • Land O’ Lakes High School’s Sydny Nasello wins Class 3A Player of the Year, and is named a 2018 Miss Soccer finalist
  • Saint Leo men’s lacrosse becomes the state’s first lacrosse program to make a national championship appearance
  • Carrollwood Day School varsity baseball reaches program’s first state final four
  • Academy at the Lakes varsity baseball celebrates its first winning season
  • Land O’ Lakes High School is one of three Pasco Schools named a Special Olympics National Banner Unified Champion School
  • Land O’ Lakes youth resident Brett Swanbom wins a world championship as a member of the 2018 U.S. Junior Barefoot Water Ski Team
  • Sunlake High School girls swimming & diving team unseats Land O’ Lakes High School to win the 2018 Sunshine Athletic Conference Championships
  • Former Gaither High School/current Hillsborough High School football coach Earl Garcia becomes all-time winningest coach in Tampa Bay
  • Wiregrass Ranch junior linebacker Dylan Ridolph sets the Pasco County record for career sacks, with 37
  • Longtime Sunlake High School football coach Bill Browning retires following a 29-year head coaching career throughout the North Suncoast
  • Zephyrhills High School football records an undefeated 10-0 regular season
  • Wesley Chapel High School basketball coach Doug Greseth wins 500th career game

Published December 26, 2018

Pasco looks to become sports tourism destination

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Pasco County is putting its sports and recreation offerings front and center, in a strategy aimed at boosting tourism.

Visit Pasco — the county’s tourism arm — is rebranding its slogan to “Florida’s Sports Coast.”

The announcement came at the second annual East Pasco Economic Development Summit.

Adam Thomas, who oversees Pasco’s tourism efforts, said the new moniker shows the county is “charging ahead to becoming that premier sports destination in Florida.”

“We’re in the memory-making business. We want to tell our story, especially with our sports assets and really get that message out there to really get that return on investment,” Thomas explained at the Nov. 2 event held at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.

The second annual East Pasco Economic Development Summit focused on the county’s sports tourism efforts. Speakers pictured here are, from left: Gordie Zimmerman, Florida Hospital Center Ice general manager; Richard Blalock, RADD Sports chief executive officer; Pat Ciaccio, Saddlebrook Resort general manager; Jason Aughey, Tampa Bay Sports Commission senior director; and, Adam Thomas, Pasco County tourism director. (Kevin Weiss)

The brand launch and marketing campaign for “Florida’s Sports Coast” will begin in January, Thomas said.

Previous Pasco tourism promotions featured the slogans “It’s only natural” and “Open spaces, vibrant places” — referring to the county’s ecotourism offerings.

“The logo and name is just a logo and a name, but the strategy behind it is really going to create that sense of place and that sense of destination for Pasco County as the Florida sports coast,” Thomas explained.

The new branding coincides with a number of new multipurpose sports facilities that have opened or will open soon.

Florida Hospital Center Ice in Wesley Chapel, for instance, opened in early 2017 as the largest hockey complex in the southeastern United States.

It drew national attention this past year when it played host to the gold medal-winning 2018 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team. It’s also the training grounds of other Olympians, such as French pair skaters Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres.

The Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex is next in line become a major draw once it opens in late 2019.

The $44 million, 98,000-square-foot facility will feature eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, a cheer and dance studio, a fitness center, and sports medicine and athletic training offerings.

The complex, which broke ground in June, also will be able to host other sporting events and recreational activities, such as martial arts, wrestling, gymnastics, curling, badminton, indoor soccer, and lacrosse and pickleball.

Other facilities on tap include the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Center in Zephyrhills and the Christopher N. Chiles Aquatic Center in Land O’ Lakes.

Meanwhile, the Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel has been a world-renowned golf and tennis mainstay since the 1980s.

Beyond those offerings, Pasco’s various outdoor recreational features will also fall under the Florida’s Sports Coast branding, Thomas noted.

The county’s inshore and offshore fishing offerings, as well as its network of hiking, biking and walking trails, create what Thomas labeled as “742 square miles of destination.”

In addition to the branding announcement, the economic summit also featured a series of panel discussions with stakeholders on the economic impact and opportunities that lie within the sports tourism industry.

Jason Aughey, senior director for the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, praised the county’s ongoing sports tourism efforts.

“Pasco County, in and of itself, is growing exponentially and gaining quite a bit of attention throughout the sports tourism industry,” he said. “I think the sky is really the limit.

“I’d be extremely bullish on what’s going on here; things are only going to get better,” Aughey added, while underscoring the economic benefit of sports tourism on the whole — particularly in the youth and amateur arena.

“Sports is very recession-proof in the sense that parents aren’t going to put away their child’s experience and/or potential opportunity for future scholarships. Same thing with discretionary spending as it pertains to adult seniors as far as the overall experience. Regardless of what’s happening in the economy, sports is going to continue to pull through,” he said.

Richard Blalock, chief executive officer of RADD Sports, the company that will manage the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex, also is upbeat about the Pasco’s sports tourism initiatives.

“The county’s moving in an awesome direction with their rebranding and the resources that they’ve put in,” Blalock said.

He noted the county’s efforts to serve a broad range of mid-sized indoor and outdoor sporting events year-round will further a stronghold on sports tourism.

The economic impact is year-round, and is not seasonal in nature, Blalock said.

Other speakers at the summit included Gordie Zimmerman, Florida Hospital Center Ice general manager; Pat Ciaccio, Saddlebrook Resort general manager; Carolynn Smith, 7 Marketing PR chief executive officer; Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore; Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles;  Dr. Stanley Giannet, of Pasco-Hernando State College; and, Dr. Keiva Wiley, Pasco County Schools director of Career and Technical Education.

The event was jointly presented by the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and Pasco-Hernando State College.

Revised November 15, 2018

Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex breaks ground

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Construction has begun on a long-awaited sports field house in Wesley Chapel that is expected to provide more athletic and economic opportunities in Pasco County.

The June 7 groundbreaking ceremony for the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex attracted a crowd of more than 100 people, including a Who’s Who of Pasco County dignitaries.

The $44 million sports complex is being built at  3211 Lajuana Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, just off State Road 54, near The Shops at Wiregrass.

A groundbreaking ceremony on June 7 celebrated the start of construction for the new Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex. (Kevin Weiss)

Members of the crowd came from all walks of life, including government officials, community leaders, business leaders, Wesley Chapel residents and representatives of sports organizations, local schools and universities.

They came to gather details about the 98,000-square-foot complex that will include eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, a cheer and dance studio, a fitness center, and sports medicine and athletic training offerings.

The complex also will be able to host other sporting events and recreational activities such as martial arts, wrestling, gymnastics, curling, badminton, indoor soccer and lacrosse and pickleball.

In addition to the indoor gym, the complex will have seven outdoor sports fields, an amphitheater with an event lawn, walking trails, pavilions and a playground.

The Pasco County Commission approved the project as a public/private partnership in 2017.

RADD Sports, a private company, will operate and manage the sports complex.

The county will own the facility and share in anticipated profits.

The county also has a ground lease for an $18 million, 128-room Marriott Residence Inn that will be built with private funds at the complex. The hotel and its “suite-style” units will cater primarily to traveling sports teams and families as well as active business travelers looking to access the facility.

The Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex is set to open by late 2019.

It will operate on Monday through Thursday as a community-based sports center for youth, adults and seniors.

The $44 million Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex is expected to open in late 2019. The 98,000-square-foot complex will have eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, a cheer and dance studio, a fitness center, and sports medicine and athletic training offerings. Also, besides the indoor gym, the complex will have seven outdoor sports fields, an amphitheater with an event lawn, walking trails, pavilions and a playground. (File)

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

Secondary uses of the complex include graduations, banquets, exhibits and concerts.

The facility is being built on land donated years ago by the Porter family – developers of Wiregrass Ranch.

Until recently, several proposals for such a facility on the land fell apart over the years, including one for a baseball complex in 2015 .

“This has been something that’s been on our minds for the past 15 years,” said Wiregrass Ranch developer J.D. Porter. “(We’re) trying to do something that’s very good for the community, bringing people into Pasco County.”

Pasco’s offerings continue to expand
The complex also adds to a growing list of premier, state-of-the art sports facilities in Wesley Chapel — and further markets the area as a sports tourism destination primarily for youth and amateur sports.

Other nearby offerings include Florida Hospital Center Ice in Wesley Chapel, which opened in early 2017 as the largest hockey complex in the southeastern United States; Saddlebrook Resort & Spa, an upscale resort renowned for world-class golf and tennis training; and, Wesley Chapel District Park, which sits on 144 acres and contains 10 full-sized athletic fields and lighted outdoor tennis courts and basketball courts. Efforts also began recently in a quest to build a premier aquatics facility in Land O’ Lakes.

“Pasco County is rapidly positioning (itself) to be a leader in the nation in hosting sports events, and training athletes,” said RADD Sports president and CEO Richard Blalock.

Blalock last year estimated annual economic impact would be about $6.5 million for the new facility. Over 10 years, about $8 million or more in sales and use taxes would be generated, not including tourism taxes from hotel stays.

“We’re excited of the fact that it’s going to put itself where we can attract not only for the locals, but also state, regional, national and international events,” he said.

“It’s not just the out-of-state visitors that’ll come,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore.

“It’s our visitors from Orlando, our visitors from Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Miami. They’ll come here, they’ll visit our small businesses, they’re going to stay at our hotels, they’re going to buy our gas, our food, (and) they’re going to help our economy.”

Moore said amateur sports tourism is one of fastest-growing market segments of the travel industry, adding “Pasco County’s about to become a major player in this $10 billion-a-year industry.”

“When we say this is huge — it’s huge,” Moore said.

According to VisitFlorida, the state’s leading tourism resource, approximately 106 million non-resident visitors came to the state last year. Of that total, 16 million were drawn to Florida by its sports economy, representing about 15 percent of the state’s tourism economy.

But it’s about more than just tourism dollars and economic impact, said Pasco County Tourism Director Adam Thomas, who spent over a decade as a professional minor league baseball pitcher.

Thomas, who has two young children, underscored the social and competitive benefits of the facility for youth — the ability to participate in local tournaments that’ll host quality in-state and out-of-state teams and athletes.

“They’re going to be exposed to a different level of playing, so we’re going to raise the bar a little bit for our student-athletes,” he said.

Reactions to the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex
“What a great opportunity we have to continue to grow the economic environment here (and) to attract people. For all those reasons everybody moves here…They’ll continue to come back because we have a great thing to offer here in Pasco County.” — J.D. Porter, Wiregrass Ranch developer

“This is going to change the game for our athletes in Pasco County, give them the opportunity to raise the level of play and, really have the opportunity for families and kids to get to college and playing those sports, so I think it’s a great opportunity,” —State Rep. Amber Mariano, R-Hudson

“This is huge. (People’s) ability to show up today just shows the importance of this project, not only to Pasco County tourism but the business community right here in Wesley Chapel,” — Adam Thomas, VisitPasco director

“I’m excited. I’ll continue to be excited. I can’t wait to see this thing moving. I’ll probably down here every day as this goes up because I live down the street,” — Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore

Published June 13, 2018

Wiregrass sports complex will be hurricane-ready

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Pasco County received a $2 million federal grant to make the future Wiregrass Sports Arena hurricane-resistant, according to a news release from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Pasco’s emergency management department applied for the grant, which will pay for 75 percent of the approximately $2.7 million total cost of hurricane preparedness.

“We’re very excited for this opportunity,” said Laura Black, assistant director of emergency management. “It’s one of our top projects.”

This is a rendering of how the Wiregrass Sports complex will look. The complex is expected to open in 2019. (File)

The federal agency awards these grants through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The grants are provided to states, and tribal and local governments, to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters, including hurricanes.

The 98,000-square-foot sports arena will be built and hardened to withstand up to 170-mph winds. That exceeds Florida’s standard requirement of 142 mph.

In addition, the floors will be elevated by 1-foot to reduce the risk of flooding. Also, a 1000-kilowatt generator will be installed to provide backup power.

All of this will be done from the ground up, during construction. Doing that will result in substantial savings, Black said, adding the cost could be as much as $8 million, if a retrofit was required afterward.

The Pasco County Commission approved the project as a public/private partnership in 2017.

RADD Sports, a private company, will operate and manage the sports complex. Pasco County will own the facility and share in anticipated profits.

The federal application included a cost analysis on economic losses, if the arena suffered hurricane damage and couldn’t operate for a period of time, Black said.

In addition to the indoor sports arena, the complex will have seven outdoor sports fields, an amphitheater with an event lawn, trails, pavilions and a playground. The county also has a ground lease for a Marriott Residence Inn that will be built with private funds at the complex.

Richard Blalock, president of RADD Sports, spoke last year at an economic briefing luncheon sponsored by the Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (now known as North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce).

The facility will host sporting and recreational activities, including basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, dancing, wrestling, gymnastics, curling and badminton.

Blalock last year estimated annual economic impact would be about $6.5 million. Over 10 years, about $8 million or more in sales and use taxes would be generated, not including tourism taxes from hotel stays.

A construction date isn’t scheduled as yet, but the arena is expected to open by late summer or early fall of 2019.

Published April 25, 2018

Tourist tax increase to help finance Wiregrass sports complex

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Pasco County commissioners approved a 2 percent increase in the tourism tax and cleared the way to finance construction of the Wiregrass Sports Complex of Pasco County.

The added revenues will be used as collateral to secure a construction loan of up to $15 million for a 98,000-square-foot multi-purpose indoor sports venue.

The tax increase is on top of an existing 2 percent tax collected on hotel rentals, often described as the “heads in beds” tax. At a total of 4 percent, Pasco’s tourism tax rate will remain lower than most other counties in Tampa Bay.

This is what the Wiregrass Sports Complex site is expected to look like when the project is completed. (Courtesy of Peter C. Lent)

County commissioners also approved a series of resolutions setting up the framework for a private/public partnership between Pasco, which will own the complex, and RADD Sports, which will operate and manage the facility.

The county will receive lease payments and share in profits generated from the sports complex.

Besides the indoor facility, seven outdoor sports fields, an amphitheater with an event lawn, trails, pavilions and a playground are planned.

County commissioners also approved a ground lease for a 128-room Marriott Residence Inn to be built on about 2 acres within the complex. Mainsail Lodge and Development will build the hotel at an estimated cost of $18.5 million.

Funding for the sports complex also will come from about $11 million collected from previously pledged tourism dollars and sales tax revenues.

“I think it’s time we put this money in the bank to work,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey. “It’s long overdue that we took the leap and did something big with this money.”

Several years ago, the Porter family – developers of Wiregrass Ranch – donated more than 200 acres near The Shops at Wiregrass for the sports complex. But, proposals to build on the land fell apart, including one for an outdoor baseball complex.

“We know what happened in the past – nothing,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore. “This is a test in showing cohesiveness, that we’re all working together.”

During public comment, Hope Allen, president of The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, and Steve Domonkos of the Wiregrass mall, spoke in favor of increasing the tourism tax.

“We’re really becoming a sports tournament destination,” said Domonkos. “That sets us apart from other parts of Florida. It benefits the community as a whole.”

The vote to increase the tourism tax passed unanimously, but it stirred debate among county commissioners.

“It’s important that we get our fair share,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells Jr.

He sought money for boat ramps and for boosting the scalloping industry.

Mariano wanted money for beach re-nourishment, pointing out a need at Sun West Park. He also said the county’s tourism development council needed to give its opinion before county commissioners voted on the matter.

The council, which is an advisory board, had a meeting the day after the county commission voted. County commissioners declined to delay their votes.

Mariano later was the lone dissenter in voting against the agreement for RADD Sports to operate the sports complex. He objected to the loan arrangements, preferring that RADD Sports do its own financing.

“We shouldn’t be putting tourism money there,” Mariano said.

County officials noted that the tourism dollars are pledged as collateral. “If they (RADD Sports) perform well, you may not even have to dip into there,” said David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney for Pasco.

The lease agreement requires RADD Sports to pay the county $60,000, or 11 percent of gross revenues. The funds can be used to repay the loan.

The county also will benefit from new tourism dollars. Officials with the county’s Economic Development Office estimate that 80 percent of hotel rentals will come from off-site hotels.

Construction or proposals for more hotels are expected to significantly increase the county’s hotel room inventory.

In addition, the county, RADD Sports and the Porter family reached agreement on road work and ball fields.

At least one field will be open to the public at least 90 percent of the time. The remaining fields will be accessible to residents of Wiregrass.

The Porters will speed up roadwork, including a link from the sports complex to State Road 54 to the north.

“We do believe it’s a win-win for the county,” Goldstein said.

Published August 23, 2017

Wiregrass sports complex expected to open in 2019

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The Wiregrass Sports Complex of Pasco County could be open as soon as spring 2019, Richard Blalock, chief executive officer of RADD Sports said last week.

The sports management and development company anticipates finalizing agreements with Pasco County by August. The construction of the 98,000-square-foot indoor sports complex is expected to take 18 months, though Blalock is hopeful it can be done within 14 months.

Richard Blalock, chief executive officer of RADD Sports
(File)

Blalock and Anthony Homer, the company’s vice president of development, gave an update on the project at the monthly economic briefing luncheon hosted by The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce on May 25.

Work already is underway to line up events, sports leagues and coaches for a facility that will operate on Monday through Thursday as a community-based sports center, Blalock said.

Weekends will be set aside to host tournaments, competitions and other events that will generate hotel stays and tax revenues for the county, he said.

“We’re not sitting back waiting,” he said. “We’re in the community actively engaging. When the doors open, we want to be running and generating,” Blalock added.

For instance, Blalock plans to meet with the head coach of the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

The focus will be on involving youth from the community in as many sporting opportunities as possible, he said.

A minor league system for youth ages 9 through 18 will be organized for cheerleading, basketball, volleyball, soccer and lacrosse. Participants will be required to maintain a minimum of a 2.0 grade average.

A prep level will be available for youths, ages 5 through 8.

But, sports won’t be the only skill taught.

“We want to develop these kids not only as athletes, but as citizens,” Blalock said.

For youth that don’t want to actively participate in a sport, Blalock said they would have opportunities to join a Coach’s Club or Elite Manager’s Club, to learn skills such as scorekeeping, officiating and team management.

For elite athletes who are being recruited, RADD Sports will help with media technology, such as webcasts, to showcase their talents.

The Pasco County Commission agreed in April to negotiate with RADD Sports for the $25 million sports complex. About $15 million to $17 million in funding will be from a bank loan, secured with a proposed 2 percent increase in the county’s tourism tax. Nearly $11 million is from previously pledged tourism dollars, and sales tax revenues.

County commissioners must approve an ordinance to increase the tourism tax.

Projections for sports events and revenues include:

  • 27,000 visitors per night per year
  • 12,000 visitors who come for the day
  • $6.5 million annual economic impact
  • $8 million or more in sales and use taxes in 10 years (not including tourism tax)

Over 10 years, RADD Sports officials project $100 million in accumulated direct economic impact for the county.

The facility will be able to host sporting and recreational activities, including basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, dancing, wrestling, gymnastics, curling and badminton.

Plans also call for seven outdoor sports fields, an amphitheater with an event lawn, trails, pavilions and a playground.

An $18.5 million, 120-room hotel is planned on land donated years ago by the Porter family – developers of Wiregrass Ranch and The Shops at Wiregrass.

Sports tourism is proving to be a successful generator of revenues for local communities, Homer said.

On average, each visitor spends about $208 a day, he said.

There is a multiplier effect, however, when families come together to youth sports events. “They make a whole weekend out of it,” Homer said.

RADD Sports plans to follow the Disney model for sports event registrations. The hotel room is part of the registration process, he said.

And, when the on-site hotel is full, other area hotels are included, Homer added.

RADD Sports wants to create a “constant churn” of events. “We want them to come back, six, seven, eight times a year,” he said.

Published May 31, 2017

Sports complex wins crucial approval

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Pasco County commissioners agreed to push ahead with a proposal from RADD Sports to build a $25 million sports complex at Wiregrass Ranch.

About $15 million in funding would be from a bank loan, secured with a proposed 2 percent increase in the county’s tourism tax. Nearly $11 million would come from previously pledged tourism dollars, and sales tax revenues.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore
(Fred Bellet)

County commissioners unanimously voted to pursue the project, and send out bids for the bank loan at their April 12 meeting in Dade City.

The sports complex, and an $18.5 million, 120-room hotel, would be built on land donated years ago by the Porter family – developers of Wiregrass Ranch and The Shops at Wiregrass.

Over the past eight years, several proposals fell apart, including one for a baseball complex in 2015.

RADD Sports wants to build a 98,000-square-foot indoor facility for sporting and recreational activities including basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, dancing, wrestling, gymnastics, curling and badminton. In addition, there would be outdoor sports fields, an amphitheater with an event lawn, trails, pavilions and a playground.

“This is a good program,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore. “Over the years, for whatever reason, commissions in the past have not moved forward. We have a great opportunity. Let’s stop kicking the can down the road.”

Dirt won’t be flying any time soon, however.

It will take additional votes to finalize the project, including an ordinance to increase the tourist tax. Four of five county commissioners need to approve the increase.

Though the initial vote was unanimous, Pasco County Commissioners Mike Wells and Jack Mariano had concerns about linking new tourism dollars to one project.

Wells would like to see boat ramps built in western Pasco in future. County officials said the bank loan possibly could be increased to $16 million or $17 million to fund those.

Anthony Homer, vice president of real estate for RADD Sports

Mariano said tax revenues should be spread around to benefit the entire county, not just focused within the Wesley Chapel area.

“What’s the fairness to the other side of the county when there’s no return coming back?” he said.

But, prior to voting in favor, he added, “I know this is going to be a top-shelf product.”

Details are still being negotiated, but the county will receive a portion of the profits generated from the sports complex. “The entire county will benefit from this project,” Moore said.

However, the project and the tax increase drew a notable objection from Thomas Dempsey, owner of Saddlebrook Resort.

It makes no sense to use the tourism tax as “backup for a loan that can’t be obtained in a normal way through a bank,” said Dempsey, who spoke during public comment. “I can’t run a business that way. Nobody should. It’s a burdensome tax on Saddlebrook.”

The upscale resort in Wesley Chapel contributed a large share of the $8.5 million already collected in tourist taxes. A rebate program is being proposed to compensate Saddlebrook and other hoteliers. Details will be negotiated as the project moves forward, but Wells said, “It should have been done before yesterday.”

RADD Sports estimates gross revenues of $3.8 million in the first year, with increases each year after. Company officials pledged that the loan debt would be paid first before RADD Sports got paid.

Research shows that the complex will have a regional pull, drawing people willing to drive four hours to eight hours, said Anthony Homer, vice president of real estate for RADD Sports. About 1.2 million people live within a 30-minute drive, he added.

An estimated 30 to 40 special sporting events can be held at the complex, along with weekday activities for local amateur leagues and recreational visitors.

On average, more than $208 is spent daily per person during tournament weekends for the event, as well as at hotels, shops and restaurants in the area.

“We didn’t pull these numbers out of a hat,” Homer said.

However, county officials said banks wouldn’t accept RADD Sports’ revenue projections as the only collateral source for the loan.

Hope Allen, president of The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, urged commissioners to support the project.

“The timing is right,” she said, during public comment. “Everybody is ready to move forward,” Allen said.

Published April 19, 2017