TDC Recommends $25 Million For Upgrades At John R. Jones Complex, Including Artificial Turf
April 22, 2025
The Escambia County Tourist Development Council (TDC) has approved a $25 million allocation for upgrades, including artificial turf, for the John R. Jones complex on East Nine Mile Road with a focus on sports tourism.
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners must give final approval to funding the project, and the dollar figure could change.
“I am under the impression that there is a lot of momentum behind this from the board,” said Ashlee Hofberger, TDC board member and Escambia County District 4 commissioner. “Obviously I am only one of five, but I think a lot of people are excited about this. It’s just a question of how we balance the spending with the (Pensacola) Bay Center spending. Just knowing that all of that has to come from the same pot, one of those projects is going to have to be scaled back to some degree.”
Last year, the TDC approved $90 million on for significant upgrades and enhancements at the Pensacola Bay Center and to construct a new indoor sports facility at Ashton Brosnaham Park in District 5. The BOCC has or moved forward on Ashton Brosnaham and has considered four concept designs ranging from $22 to$104 million for just the Bay Center.
The TDC’s vote recently to recommend $25 million for John R. Jones was 5-3. With the Bay Center cost weighing into the decision on a negative vote for at least one TDC member. Charles Bare, who also serves on the Pensacola City Council. said he wanted to wait and see what the final price tag for Bay Center upgrades will be.
“It’s not because I don’t support youth sports,” Bare said at the TDC meeting. “I think without having a clear picture of where we are going with the Bay Center right now, that’s just more critical to the city at this point, not that city residents won’t enjoy what’s happening up there at this particular facility, but it is more focused on the county at large. I just want to make sure there’s plenty of funding there to do whatever we are going to do at the Bay Center.”
“I love the thought of us hosting the softball, baseball, and lacrosse tournaments so many of our families are currently traveling to play in tournaments,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said Monday afternoon. “Also, the thought of all those teams coming to our community in the future, staying here and spending money at our local businesses should benefit all Escambia citizens. That’s something that should make everyone smile.”
In September 2024. the TDC recommended an indoor sports facility costing up to $60 million for Escambia County’s Ashton Brosnaham Park, and about $30 million in upgrades for the Pensacola Bay Center.
Barry said Monday that the Ashton Brosnaham project “isn’t currently moving forward”.
John R. Jones Complex
The John R. Jones complex currently has 18 baseball and softball fields, plus two rectangular multi-use fields for sports such as football, lacrosse, soccer, cheerleading and more.
Over $2 million in LED lighting improvements were made last year at the park.
According to the proposal, the new facility would attract hundreds of teams, players and fans for tournaments and be competitive with similar facilities in nearby communities such as Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Panama City, Fort Walton Beach, Daphne and more.
There are 23 hotel properties within seven miles, and it is about 15 minutes from the Pensacola International Airport.
The Nine Mile Road facility would have the capacity to host 39 weekend tournaments plus 12 full week tournaments during the summer, creating over $2.3 million in revenue subject to the tourist development tax.
Breaking Down The $25 Million
The $25 million would fund:
- $20 million – Artificial turf for 20 Fields
- Approx. $1 million per field
- 18 multi-dimensional diamond fields,
- Plus, two rectangular multi-use fields
- $500,000 – Landscaping & Common Areas
- Flower beds and aesthetic landscaping
- $1.2 million – Sidewalks & Parking Upgrades
- Entryway and sidewalk connectivity
- $1 million – Fence, Shade & Dugout Work
- Overall fence work, shade areas & dugout upgrades
- $1.5 million – Concessions & Building Upgrades
- Remodeling and upgrading buildings.
- Miscellaneous Expenses – $400,000
- Various Aesthetic Upgrades
- Design – Permits or Consulting Fees – $400,000
- Potential fees for design or consulting
Escambia County Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes aid a conversion to article turf fields, would also eliminate the need and expense of fertilizers, pesticides, water, and mowing.
Stakeholder Support
The project has received letters of support from key stakeholders, including:
- NEP Baseball
- 2D Sports
- USSSA
- USFA
- UWF
- PSC
- Home2 Suite – Davis Hwy.
- Courtyard West Pensacola
- Zen Hospitality
- Escambia County Destination Marketing Organization
“We strongly believe these improvements will provide significant benefits not only to the park itself but also to Escambia County and the surrounding communities,” said John Buck, NEP president. “One of the most impactful upgrades being discussed is the transition to turf fields. By making this change, NEP Ballpark would become a premier facility capable of attracting multiple softball and baseball tournaments from surrounding areas—not only at a local and regional level but also on a national scale. These events would bring in teams, families, and spectators, providing a major boost to local businesses, hotels, and restaurants while further establishing Pensacola as a top destination for youth and amateur sports.”
New Ladder Truck Now In Service At ECFR’s Ensley Fire Station
April 22, 2025
A new Escambia County Fire Rescue ladder truck went into service on Monday in Ensley.
The new Ladder 6 is at Station 6 on Highway 29, which is known as “The Big House”, the busiest fire station in Escambia County.
The new truck will provide call relief for Engine 6 in addition to providing a staffed aerial truck to respond in north and central Escambia County.
Station 6 in Ensley is now home to Ladder 6, Engine 6, Hazmat 6 at a battalion chief. Every firefighter assigned to the station is a certified hazardous material technician. Station 6 was the busiest fire company in Escambia County last year, running about 2,500 calls including over 100 fires.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle Names Students, Employee Of The Month
April 22, 2025
Ernest Ward Middle School recently named their employee and student of the month for March. (L-R) Pictured with Principal Tyvanna Boulanger are students Camden Miller, eighth grade; Brooklynne Fountain, seventh grade; Hadley Weaver, sixth grade; and Michelle Thomas, science teacher. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chance of Pop-up Showers Tuesday And Wednesday
April 22, 2025
There is a change of overnight fog and a a chance of storms Tuesday and Wednesday, then transitions to progressively sunnier and warmer conditions through the weekend, with highs reaching the upper 80s. Overnight lows will remain consistently in the mid-60s.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10am. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tuesday Night: Patchy dense fog after 10pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 10am. Widespread dense fog, mainly between 7am and 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 88.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
Julie Luker Named Byrneville Elementary School Teacher Of The Year
April 22, 2025
Byrneville Elementary School on Monday named third grade teacher Julie Luker as their 2025 Teacher of the Year. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Senior Jamison Gilman Awarded Florida Sheriff’s Association Scholarship
April 22, 2025
Northview High School senior Jamison Gilman, the daughter of Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Senior Deputy James Gilman and Donan Gilman, has received a Florida Sheriff’s Association scholarship.
The program awards $2,000 each year to ten deserving children of full-time employees in sheriff’s offices across Florida. She is the first student from Escambia County to receive the scholarship.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click toe enlarge.
Ice Flyers Begin Search For New Head And Assistant Coaches Ahead Of Next Season
April 22, 2025
Pensacola Ice Flyers Owner Greg Harris has announced the launch of a formal search for a new head coach and assistant coach to lead the team into the 2025-26 SPHL season. The decision comes after a stretch of seasons that fell short of expectations, and Harris is now focused on ushering in a new era of Ice Flyers hockey.
“Over the past few years, we haven’t had the on-ice success this organization, our fans and I expect,” said Harris. “As owner, it’s my responsibility to make decisions that position us for long-term success, and that starts with bringing in the right leadership behind the bench. We’ve broken franchise attendance records the last three seasons. It’s time we have a top ranked team to match the off-ice success.”
Harris has received numerous coaching resumes since Gary Graham was relieved of his duties in February, which led to bringing back three-time SPHL championship coach Rod Aldoff as an interim head coach to finish the season. His coaching search will now be expanded and conducted immediately, with interviews beginning in the coming weeks. Harris noted that while wins are a major priority, cultural alignment is non-negotiable.
“We’re not just looking for Xs and Os,” Harris added. “We’re looking for coaches who understand what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves. Our fans, our partners, our community, they deserve a team that reflects their pride, energy and commitment to success, both on and off the ice. Our next head coach and assistant coach will be strong leaders, be good communicators, bring in players who represent everything defined by wearing the Ice Flyers shield, and be committed to building a winning culture the right way, from the locker room to the community. A coach does this, on-ice success will be sure to follow,” Harris said.
Harris anticipates a high volume of interest from qualified candidates across the hockey world and is looking forward to connecting with top-tier coaches who are eager to help shape the next chapter of Ice Flyers hockey.
“With the reputation of this organization and the passion of our fanbase, I expect we’ll receive a wide range of impressive resumes,” said Harris. “We’re excited to engage with the best of the best and find the right fit for where we’re headed. My goal is to move through this process efficiently and make a decision that sets us up for both immediate and long-term success.”
Ascend Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy; Local Site To Continue Normal Operations
April 21, 2025
Ascend Performance Materials on Monday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.
If approved, Chapter 11 allows a company to reorganize its finances without the threat of creditors’ lawsuits. The reorganization plan must be accepted by a majority of its creditors.
The Pensacola Ascend plant on Old Chemstrand Road and rest of the company will continue to operate as usual during the process.
“Our site has been producing quality materials and providing stable, high-paying jobs in this community for over 70 years, and this restructuring agreement will provide a foundation for us to continue that legacy,” said Senior Site Director Kevin Heisel. “The products our Pensacola employees produce enable automobiles, appliances, electronics and a wide range of other important products to operate safely and efficiently and improve the lives of millions of people around the world each day. We are focused on continuing safe and reliable operations to manufacture these materials for our customers.”
The company has received a commitment for $250 million in debtor-in-possession financing from certain of its lenders, which is expected to provide the company with sufficient liquidity to support Ascend throughout the Chapter 11 process. Ascend aims to complete the process in approximately six months.
Ascend has filed a number of customary “first day” motions with the bankruptcy court seeking approval to support its operations during the Chapter 11 process, including paying employee wages, salaries and benefits without interruption. The company expects to receive approval of these motions in the coming days. Ascend intends to pay vendors and suppliers in full for goods and services provided on or after the filing date in accordance with the bankruptcy code.
“Ascend has made significant strides in transforming our business, with a focus on efficiency and driving cost reductions while ensuring that we are able to operate safer than we ever have before,” said Phil McDivitt, President and CEO of Ascend Performance Materials. “Over the last several months, we have been working with our lenders to define the best path forward for Ascend. The restructuring will substantially reduce Ascend’s debt and ensure that we are well-positioned to continue executing on our long-term strategy. We are confident that the Chapter 11 process will put us on a path to becoming an even stronger company with a healthier financial structure and better positioned to continue delivering high-performance materials that improve the lives of our customers.”
‘All Aboard!’ Soul Train Club Youth Center Opens Doors In Century
April 21, 2025
Pastor Evelyn Deterville stood in the doorway of a newly leased space in Century and tooted a wooden train whistle with a smile.
“Welcome, welcome to the Soul Train Club she said,” tooting the horn again. “Come on it, we are open for everybody.”
Deterville’s Extra Mile Club St8 Up nonprofit official opened the “Soul Train Club of Century” youth resource center Friday afternoon. It’s in a space in the Century Business Center on Pond Street — a space that was a classroom in a long-closed middle school. And with her Soul Train Club, it’s returning to its education roots.
For a photo gallery, click here.
As a non-profit, Deterville is leasing the space from the Town of Century for $75 a month.
“Welcome to the Soul Train Club. We are empowering youth, educating them about the wonderful town of Century and the foundation of the trains, as well as teaching them about morals, values different things like that, and then we’re also extending learning from school, teaching them how to help them with their reading their math, all the STEM programs by being engaged, so it’s a one-stop shop.”
With the help of volunteers and donations, she’s organized the classroom space into several functional areas. There’s a train table, serving STEM education and keeping the program on track. There’s a clothes closet (with the racks still on the way) with free new clothing from Walmart, an area for games, parent involvement and sometimes vendors. On Saturday, she had a Jamaican food vendor, and said she hopes to give children a taste of food from other cultures.
She is planning to take part in a summer youth feeding program and has backpacks ready for children to take a week’s worth of meals home at one time. And she’s looking to establish an American Heritage Girls Troop
Realizing transportation is a problem for children and youth in Century, Deterville is hoping to add a bus or other transportation to the program. She applied for an Escambia Children’s Trust CAREs microgrant but was rejected. Now, she’s in talks with Metro Rapid Transportation, her neighbor in the Century Business Center, about options.
Deterville describes herself as a life learner, always striving for knowledge and then sharing that knowledge with others. She recently hosted a free grant writing class for local nonprofits.
Plans call for the center to be open every weekday afternoon and Saturdays.
For more information on the Soul Train Club and how to involve youth or volunteer, call Deterville at (850) 480-9702. Volunteers will be required to complete a form and undergo a background check.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate High Beta Club Donates Hundreds Of Stuffed Animals To Escambia Sheriff’s Office
April 21, 2025
The Tate High School Beta Club recently donated hundreds of stuffed animals to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and ECSO victim advocates and deputies will keep these stuffed animals in their vehicles to comfort children in traumatic situations.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.