Comments on: TDC Recommends $25 Million For Upgrades At John R. Jones Complex, Including Artificial Turf

By: Thatmomagain

Thatmomagain — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 03:25:11 +0000

How about using some of those funds to bring some of the other “County Maintained” ball parks up to a quarter of what NEP is? I remember when all the ball parks were equal. Bellview could use some upgrades to bring back baseball and softball. I am sure myrtle grove, cantonment could too, just to name a few. This county has a bad habit of spending money on one location when several others seem to be neglected. #DOBETTERESCAMBIACOUNTY

By: really

really — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 15:28:34 +0000

Mike J – you need to get out and see ballparks across the US and see that there are plenty with either artificial turf infields or completely artificial. There are high school and collegiate teams with it installed. Guess what…when it stops raining, guess which fields get to get played on sooner if at all and not rained out…turf. Rest assured they will get used well more than they are for tournaments as the tournament directors will feel more confident in setting up a tournament that brings in tens of thousands of dollars in a weekend in team fees, individual gate fees and concessions will make and not cancel out with refunds. Downfall to turf is adjusting to the bounce of the ball, turf burn scars and the constant battle to keep people with metal spikes off of it. Plus side is less maintenance, sooner opportunities to play, and less cancellations. I’d be more afraid of those getting handed the check to properly handle the $ to get the most bang for their buck and not just use the good buddy system to do the work when there are well more qualified companies out there to do the job. This could be an extremely profitable venture for the county if handled right. NEP road the bench when it came to the funds when the Perdido Southwest Sports Complex was built and thrived with travel ball tournaments and World Series. Had they handled their funding correctly maintaining it’s own location you wouldn’t have had to read PK Proud complain about how much they need funds to do their field repairs.

By: Mike J.

Mike J. — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 13:33:10 +0000

Artificial turf? On a youth baseball field? $20 million dollars on artificial turf? I walked on that stuff in the Superdome years ago. It’s harder than you think. I’d rather see some of the money on the indoor complex and/or OLF-8. I attended several games there but I’m not a fan of this use of taxpayer money.

By: PK Proud

PK Proud — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 04:05:47 +0000

What about Southwest Sports Complex Baseball fields? Close to Perdido Key beaches. These fields are in desperate repairs, LED lights, upgraded concession stands. At least LED lights. NEP had theirs done 2 years ago. There has to be a way to spread the funds.

By: Better Growth

Better Growth — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 21:21:04 +0000

This is incredible ! Get this field updated and make it a top of the line facility!

By: L. B.

L. B. — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 20:37:59 +0000

Great outlook on the Future of Pensacola. I’m glad somebody is thinking out of the box. These things are being done in places all around us, but Pensacola will be the showcase of Northwest Florida. Hope to live and see it done.

By: Klem

Klem — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 15:32:48 +0000

How about spend the money on OLF-9 and make it s a sports center with revenue. Life NFCU did on their share.

By: Hmmm

Hmmm — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 12:55:00 +0000

Remember when you used to get dirty playing ball…