Pensacola to Use Downtown Technology Park as a Soccer Practice Field

Pensacola, Florida’s, multimillion-dollar Technology Campus isn’t filling up with tenants, but it does have a new purpose. Thanks to an agreement between the city and the Development Commission, this vacant complex will soon become a soccer practice field. Learn more about this exciting community happening and how your family can enjoy this unique opportunity to get involved with sports.

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Early History of the Technology Park

The Technology Campus in Pensacola was constructed in 2012, thanks to a $2 million grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA). Infrastructure was laid down at the site near South Ninth Avenue and East Salamanca Street with a mission to boost the local economy. This prime piece of real estate aimed to attract information technology companies to the area and, with it, jobs that paid an average of $50,000 per year.

The funding source required the Pensacola-Escambia Development Commission (PEDC) to secure tenants, create approximately 370 new high-paying jobs, and bring in $20 million in private-sector investments. If the organization failed to uphold its obligations, the PEDC would have to come to a potentially expensive cost-sharing agreement with the benefactor.

When the property was established, several tenants were slated to move in, including AppRiver and Avalex. Unfortunately, both companies ended up with operations in Gulf Breeze. Potential renters, such as Space Florida and one of the best colleges in the area, the University of West Florida, dropped their interest in the park for various reasons, seemingly just after an unnamed anchor tenant fell through after losing government contracts.

The Failed Proposal Process

FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance and PEDC have spent years trying to market the 9-acre property through advertisements on Google and the Wall Street Journal, as well as a long email list of potential developers. When 2020 rolled around, the lessors were willing to entertain just about any option. They decided to broaden their audience, inviting developers to stick with the original project requirements or come up with a completely new way to use the land.

New tenants could either purchase the property outright or lease a portion of it. All types of industries were on the table. Businesses were welcome to convert the former technology park idea into anything from office space and hotels to commercial and residential uses. Unfortunately, their efforts failed, and FloridaWest and PEDC couldn’t successfully recruit a single lessee.

Some officials blame COVID-19 and the presidential race for the technology park’s bad luck. Another theory is that there was overwhelming uncertainty among private-sector companies about the property’s future to risk moving in. That’s not to say that the leasing company didn’t receive any inquiries. But ultimately, FloridaWest never entertained a single proposal. The EDA resolved to redefine the scope of the project with a new goal to use the property so that it delivers some economic benefits to the community. With that decision, the soccer field idea was born.

The Soccer Field Agreement

The park’s future has been in question for years after numerous requests for proposals failed to yield any interest from developers. Now, after sitting vacant for more than a decade while economic development officials hunted for the right tenants, it’s clear that for the time being, hundreds of high-paying technology-type jobs won’t be moving into Pensacola. But that may be good news to the community and the downtown Technology Park after all.

The City Council unanimously approved an agreement with PEDC to use the grassy property as a soccer practice field — but only until the company finds a new developer. Mayor Grover Robinson signed a contract with PEDC Chairman Lewis Bear on Sept. 27, 2022, and the vote on Oct. 20, 2022, affirmed the arrangement. While this deal won’t bring in the economic benefits that were initially promised, the agreement does provide youth sports teams with a place to play soccer.

Pensacola Parks and Recreation Director Adrian Stills said the department would address residents’ concerns as they arise. However, the first steps are to set up temporary safety nets to keep any stray soccer balls from entering busy East Chase Street. Pensacola will also maintain the entire park’s grass areas and repair any damage resulting from the games. Practice will end at sunset, so there’s no need to install lights at the facility.

If you’re wondering how much this new direction will cost, it isn’t cheap. The City will have to pay roughly $34,377 annually to upkeep the facility’s fields for soccer play. However, according to Stills, the space is essential to accommodate Pensacola’s 900 youth soccer players who may not otherwise have anywhere to play the sport.

Youth Soccer in Pensacola

According to Director Stills, sports practice fields are in short supply around the city. The local youth soccer program is quite popular, and without the use of the Technology Park, there’d be no way for the city to accommodate all the children between the ages of 4 and 17 who want to register for play.

Pensacola Youth Soccer on Summit Boulevard operates the city’s youth recreational program led by Board President Phil Nickinson. It represents families in a dozen-plus zip codes across two counties. Its educational and character-building programs center around promoting an interest in soccer. There are many ways you can get involved with this nonprofit organization, from volunteer coaching to sponsorship opportunities. Kids as young as 13 can even serve as a referee. You just have to love soccer to join the fun.

Athletics contributes to the positive physical, mental, and social development of Florida’s children. That’s why this nonprofit aims to promote the sport of soccer while teaching fair play, good sportsmanship, and social interaction to kids ages 4 through 17. The season runs from September to November each year. Plan to register your kids in July. As of January 2023, the cost is $85 per player plus a $30 uniform fee. Financial assistance is also available.

While putting off the Technology Park development is disappointing to many Pensacola residents, those who love the game of soccer are thrilled. So, consider getting your family involved and register for the 2023 Spring season. This time of year is also the perfect time to buy a new Hyundai. Stop by our showroom and see what we have that’s perfect for driving your soccer players to practice.

Soccer Ball on Grass by Pixabay is licensed with Pexels License