Huntington Council Expected to Act on Sports Complex

The City Council is expected today to consider designating a site for a 50-acre, $20-million youth sports facility within an undeveloped area of Central Park.

A three-phase development is proposed on the east side of Golden West Street between Ellis Avenue and the Central Library parking lot.

Chuck Beauregard president of Save Our Kids, views the proposal as “the last bastion of hope.”

“Families are using sports as a positive outlet for kids,” said Beauregard. “And, there’s been no additional facilities for kids for years.”

Beauregard and city officials say the need is overwhelming to provide sports facilities, and that the council’s action would be the first step to achieve that.

Soccer, swimming and roller hockey are growing in popularity, Beauregard said.

“I’ve always favored many more sports fields,” said City Councilwoman Grace Winchell. “The city has done the best they could with cooperating with the schools in jointly maintaining and providing sports fields. “Upfront, I’d like to get fields on the line so we can (accommodate) organized sports.”

Community Services Director Ron Hagan said the park is the only city-owned site available for the proposed facility.

The first phase, a 15-acre area, estimated to cost between $4 million and $5 million, includes athletic fields for baseball, soccer and football, Hagan said.

Hagan said the city will apply for grant money and work with youth sports groups to raise money to build the fields.

The second phase is a 15-acre area for practice fields that could be used for special events and overflow parking. A gymnasium, aquatic complex, community center with senior services and a hard-surface parking lot is proposed for the final phase, Hagan said.