Plan to Expand FishHawk Sports Complex Gets Residents' Approval

Under a new proposal to expand the FishHawk Sports Complex, the soccer program will get the fields it desperately needs, protected gopher tortoises will get a new home and Starling residents will get peace and quiet.

Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation director Mark Thornton outlined the plan at a meeting at the Palmetto Club Wednesday night where a show of hands indicated residents approved of the concept.

In an agreement hashed out with the help of FishHawk Ranch developer Newland Communities, the parks department plans to add four new soccer fields north of the existing complex on 20 acres currently owned by Newlands Communities and designated for conservation.

In exchange, the property dedicated to the county west of the complex, abutting the Starling subdivision, would become a conservation lot with a dedicated habitat for gopher tortoises.

The county also negotiated a deal with the Hillsborough County School District to upgrade two playing fields behind Randall Middle School to the east of the sports complex and add lighting so they can be used by the community's soccer and lacrosse clubs.

Before proceeding, the plan requires state approval to amend the Development of Regional Impact for FishHawk Ranch.

But, if all goes well, Thornton said construction of the four new fields could begin in 18 months. In the meantime, the parks department will go ahead and add lighting to the fields behind Randall in time for the FishHawk Lacrosse program to use them in January.

"With this plan, we think the construction costs will be lower and it's much more user-friendly," said Thornton. "I'm excited about the plan."

Starling residents were equally thrilled.

Under the county's original proposal, the soccer fields would have backed up to homes in the neighborhood.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," said Jeff Dunlap, one of those residents whose home backs up to the property.

"This demonstrates that the process really does work," said Starling resident Jim Inguagiato. "Our voices were heard."

The proposal also received a thumbs up from residents whose children play sports at the FishHawk Sports Complex.

"It's a win-win for everybody," said resident Steve Hayes.

"This will give us the additional space we need," said Joe Kurtz, president of the FishHawk Soccer Club, which has 1,600 players. He said the soccer club is already using the fields behind Randall but must rent light towers to light the fields at night.

With the approval of the residents, Thornton said the county will begin working on the DRI amendment for FishHawk Ranch and the preliminary engineering.

The county also will look into adding turn lanes into the sports complex to make it easier for Starling residents to turn left out of their neighborhood.

The $2.8 million expansion project is being funded with impact fees.