Lakewood Ranch developer offers Premier Sports Campus to Manatee County

Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch has offered for Premier Sports Campus to become a county park.

A proposal received by Manatee County Government Wednesday offers to donate the underlying 126.9-acre land of the Premier Sports Campus in exchange for compensation for the physical improvements made on the property. 

Campus improvements include parking, 22 quality irrigated fields — eight of which are lighted for evening play — and other recreational facilities. The price for the improvements is $5.2 million based on the SMR construction cost, which could potentially be paid through impact fee revenue, a county press release states.

The proposal also includes an additional 36-acre parcel of land with the request the county construct and aquatic center and parking within the next five years. Cost for such a facility would be based on its size.

“The addition of the Premier Sports Campus to our inventory of recreational spaces will greatly enrich the community’s recreation opportunities,” Director of Parks and Natural Resources Charlie Hunsicker stated in a release. “The facility is consistent with the upcoming Parks Master Plan, and the acquisition of this site at cost only is a great opportunity for our community and the thousands of children who will be served. We are extremely grateful to Rex Jensen and the SMR community for their vision and largesse.”

For more information on Manatee County Government, visit online at www.mymanatee.org or call 748-4501.