JOHNSON CITY PARKS AND RECREATION - NEW WINGED DEER SPORTS COMPLEX A GO! -
ADMINISTRATION HIGHLIGHTS
~ ATHLETIC DIVISION HIGHLIGHTS ~ PARK SERVICES DIVISION HIGHLIGHTS ~ GOLF DIVISION HIGHLIGHTS ~ RECREATION SERVICES DIVISIN HIGHLIGHTS
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection I S S U E
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New Winged Deer Sports Complex a Go! On April 21, the City Commission approved a $17,634,000 bid by Kingsport’s Goins, Rash & Cain Inc. for construction of the new Winged Deer Park Sports Complex. The 37-acre expansion will take place adjacent to the park’s current ballfields and boost Johnson City’s capacity to host softball and soccer games and tournaments and reduce the need for late-night games. Five years ago, 11 city officials, including Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members, hopped into a passenger van and visited two world-class facilities in South Carolina to gather information and apply it to the creation of a new tournament and tourism-centric venture in Johnson City. Following years of considering possible partnerships, costs, locations and field designs, construction has begun with the entry road off Bristol Highway as well as storm water and sewer lines. “It is exciting to have a board of commissioners who have the vision and the support for parks and recreation,” said Parks and Recreation Director James Ellis. “This becoming a reality 30 years after opening the Winged Deer Park complex will benefit economic impact by hosting tournaments and events, but also will also benefit our citizens by providing them high-level playing fields and giving staff the opportunity to schedule weeknight league games at more appropriate times. “Lastly, this gives our maintenance staff the opportunity to close down certain fields for maintenance as this is not possible currently. This literally Knocks It Out Of The Park!” The complex will include four new diamond-shaped synthetic turf softball fields that can be converted to soccer fields, restrooms, concessions, 346 paved parking spaces, a maintenance and umpire facility for larger tournaments, shaded picnic tables and a playground. The city also plans to build two rectangular synthetic turf soccer fields next to the softball facility, which will bring the total number of fields at Winged Deer Park to 18 – nine diamondshaped fields and nine rectangular fields. Completion is tentatively set for May 2023. The USA Softball Girls’ 18-Under Class A Fast Pitch Nationals is scheduled for Winged Deer Park July 17-23, 2023, a tournament that could bring 50-60 teams and generate more than $1 million in visitor spending.