Complex nearly complete
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on February 25, 2018 3:05 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Scott Barnard and Randy Guthrie stand on one of the eight fields at the Goldsboro Multisports Complex that is still under construction on Oak Forest Road Wednesday.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Daniels and Daniels Construction works on the field house at the Goldsboro Multisports Complex on Oak Forest Road Wednesday.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Goldsboro Parks and Recreation director Scott Barnard holds some of the crumb rubber from one of the artificial turf fields.
Randy Guthrie smiles at the thought of Air Force fighter jets flying over the nearly finished Goldsboro Multisports Complex on Oak Forest Road.
"It's a selling point," said Guthrie, Goldsboro assistant city manager, during a recent visit to the 62-acre complex, located alongside Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
The complex, complete with eight athletic fields, including two with artificial turf, is under construction but nearly finished.
"The beauty of artificial field turf is they don't get flooded out, rained out," Guthrie said. "The artificial turf is designed to be played on in all conditions."
The artificial fields and the popularity of the new complex has already landed the city's first regional soccer tournament in late April.
The N.C. Youth Soccer Association's Kepner President's Cup will bring 68 regional soccer teams to Goldsboro the weekend of April 28 and 29.
"We've got folks, basically, ringing our phone off the hook wanting to schedule events," said Scott Barnard, Goldsboro Parks and Recreation director. "I'm excited about the experience for both our public, for our economy and our ability to recruit these events to our community."
The fields can be used for different sports, including soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, football and others utilizing a rectangular-shaped field.
The $6 million athletic complex is slated to open in March and work is continuing at the site, with construction underway on a 4,800-square-foot concessions stand and restroom facility. Field lighting is in place for the artificial turf and championship fields, a splash pad will be added soon and plans are in the works for the addition of a picnic shelter.
The fields are mostly ready for play, with different variations of grass growing on six of the natural turf fields. Sidewalks have been added and the parking lot is nearly complete, with final paving planned just prior to the opening. Future plans include the addition of a playground, a walking trail, additional picnic shelters and field lights, as funding becomes available, Barnard said.
"I think we've really built a facility that Goldsboro and Wayne residents can be excited to go out and play on," Barnard said. "This many fields in a central location is really going to be transformational."
An opening date has not been set and city officials expect to have a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the completion of the year-long construction project.
The project has been several years in the making, with discussions that started at least six years ago, and more defined plans during the past few years, Barnard said.
The addition of the multisports complex to the city of Goldsboro's Parks and Recreation system is a result of a partnership with Seymour Johnson Air Force Base leaders. City leaders entered into a 20 year lease agreement with the U.S. Air Force that allows the city to use and develop the property for use by the public and the base.
"We're going to share the space with the base," Barnard said.
The fields will be used regularly for practice and games for base personnel, city park and recreation programs and the YMCA, Barnard said.
"We're going to manage the site as a park and we're going to staff it similar to a recreation center," he said. "So, it's an outdoor recreation center for us."
The property not only includes a parking lot with nearly 400 spaces, but overflow capacity on the property will allow for another 300 additional vehicles, Guthrie said.
The multisports complex is being paid for through bond financing and a low-interest loan from the county. City officials are also seeking sponsorships, including naming rights for the 62-acre complex.
"We feel, once it's open, the facility will sell itself," Barnard said.