The $8 million Ansin Park Sports Complex, which will have a soccer field, running track, football stadium, netball court and cricket space, is scheduled to open by January 2008.
City commissioners have agreed to spend $2.5 million on infrastructure needed to create the park at the 24-acre site, west of New Renaissance Middle School, north of Miramar Boulevard and east of Hiatus Road.
City engineer Luis Lopez said work includes: digging a small lake at the site, filling in some of the land, making the water and sewer connections, and paving the sidewalk and parking lot. Lopez said construction of a 9,000-square-foot community center at the park, which could be used for meetings, also is under way.
The park’s price tag, initially expected to be about $4 million, has almost doubled because of rising construction costs, city officials said. The infrastructure work, however, is included in the $8 million being spent on the park.
The city is temporarily putting off building the park’s 3,500-square-foot concession stand and press box, Lopez said, because of rising costs.
The park is designed to have something for everyone, city leaders said.
“The fact that it’s coming into existence is fantastic; right next to the middle school is perfect,” Commissioner John Moore said. “It’s a perfect companion to give the kids an opportunity for some real exercise.”
Georgia East can be reached at or 954-385-7921.
