PINELLAS PARK, Florida. – A new youth sports park is being built in Pinellas County that will put Pinellas Park on the map. Athletes from across the country are expected to visit the new sports fields and boost the economy.

They said they couldn’t have done it without the support of the former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, who has great love for his community.

The groundbreaking for the sports center will open new opportunities in Pinellas Park.

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“Playing baseball and softball is a big economic driver for us,” said City Manager Bart Diebold.

“We are giving local children the opportunity to dream bigger,” added Pinellas Park Mayor Sandra Bradbury.

The city said it’s not just about the money, but also about the children in the community. They are planning a new 40-acre sports facility along 66th Avenue North and will house up to six different fields, from baseball and softball to soccer and hockey.

“If you’re from the north, say Ohio and St. Louis, you come here for spring training. You’re going to play baseball here now, too. We’ve never had that before. It’s a new opportunity,” Diebold explained.

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The city had planned to renovate the park, but a grant from the state made extensive modernization work possible.

“People who come here will experience something unique in Florida,” said Jason Clement, CEO of The Sports Facilities Companies.

The name of the new facility has a special meaning and is a tribute to Florida’s former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chris Sprowls.

“Nothing is more important to Chris than family, faith and Florida. And now facilities,” Clement said.

“He knows the area. He’s from Dunedin. He knew how important this was and from there it spread like wildfire and grew. You can’t ask for more than that,” Diebold said.

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We ensure that future athletes have all the prerequisites for success on the field.

“Pinellas Park was very local. Help the kids, do it for the kids,” Diebold explained.

The facility will cost around $30 million and is scheduled to open sometime in summer 2025.

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