TOP STORY, MARCH: Premier Sports Complex

In preparation for the New Year the Observer is taking the holiday week to reflect on the big stories of the year. We are counting down the top 12 stories of 2011 for all Observers. Check back each day for a reprinting — and any relevant updates — of the biggest news items of the year. Updates at bottom.

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MARCH 24, 2011

LAKEWOOD RANCH — To some, the 70 acres just east of the Lakewood Ranch Post Office look like empty space.

But to those singing the praises of the newly named Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch, those 70 acres represent not only big fun — but big business as well.

Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau Sports Manager Jason Puckett considers Schroeder-Manatee Ranch’s new sports complex a major step for the Sarasota/Manatee/Lakewood Ranch market becoming the “amateur sports capital of the world.”

His Manatee counterpart, Sports Commissioner Joe Picket, called the project the “Daytona 500 in grass sports.”

And SMR President and CEO Rex Jensen said the new project, which will begin with 22 sports fields, embodies the spirit of the community of Lakewood Ranch.

“Lakewood Ranch is about two things: family/activities and economic development,” Jensen said. “All of this comes together at this facility.”

State and local government officials, Lakewood Ranch representatives and other community members celebrated the complex as SMR announced the winners of its name and logo contest March 21.

Summerfield resident Mercedes Movilla won the name contest, while graphic artist Michael Muscarella, of Sarasota, won the logo contest. Movilla received $1,000 for her suggestion, and Muscarella received $2,000.

Movilla, a muralist and architect, said she sent in 15 different suggestions for the name. The word “premier” captured SMR’s vision perfectly, she said.

“I just love to create, and one of my friends told me about the contest,” she said. “They (SMR) were looking (for the complex) to be the best, so I thought of ‘premier.’

Movilla moved from Venezuela to Lakewood Ranch six-and-one-half years ago and said the community is perfect for her, her husband and their three children.

Muscarella, an avid soccer fan, derived his logo from the classic soccer club crest design. Inside, he included the Lakewood Ranch sandhill crane logo as well as silhouettes of soccer, lacrosse and baseball players.

“I just hope my logo represents this unbelievable thing,” he said. “It’s amazing to think it (the logo) will be around much longer than I (will).”

SMR Director of Sports Tim Mulqueen will christen the new complex when anchor tenant Clearwater Chargers host the Florida Youth Soccer Association tournament April 30. The tournament is expected to bring 64 teams — and hundreds of players and their family members — to Lakewood Ranch. Those visitors, officials say, will translate into profit for local businesses — with an estimated impact of $700,000.

“I think this complex will justify the need for another hotel or two,” Jensen said.

Furthermore, he said, unlike existing facilities such as the Sarasota Polo Club, the fields at Premier Sports Campus will be open year-round.

“Anything you can play on a sea of grass, we want to do here,” he said.

Mulqueen said the new complex is unlike any in the state because it offers opportunities for all levels of soccer players — from recreational through professional. Younger children can dabble in the sport, while more competitive players can grow under coaches through the U.S. Development Academy Soccer. Even some professional teams from throughout the nation and Europe have inquired about training opportunities, he said.

Each of the 22 fields will have parking around them for easy access, said SMR Director of Marketing and Public Relations Candice McElyea. The complex has another 70 acres for expansion, which likely will include fields for baseball and other sports. Premier also will be able to host other large events such as concerts and festivals, she said.

SMR also announed a new partnership with U.S. Men’s National Team, World Cups 2006/2010 and Everton FC goalkeeper Tim Howard, who will lead goalkeeper clinics and camps at the new facility. Howard’s first clinic will take place this summer, and he will begin offering year-round opportunities in 2012.

In addition to the April 30 tournament, the Chargers also will host tryouts for its soccer academy May 4, its competitive team May 31. The organization also plans to launch a recreational league for children ages 4-19 this fall as well as tournaments on Labor Day and Thanksgiving weekend this year.

SMR currently is moving forward with a warrant study to determine whether a traffic signal can be placed at the complex’s entrance off State Road 70 at Post Boulevard. The intersection was the site of a fatal accident in December 2009. With the projected increase in traffic, Jensen said SMR is committed to getting a signal approved for the intersection.

Contact Michael Eng at [email protected].

UPDATE: Since Summerfield resident Mercedes Movilla named the complex, Premier has hosted several notable events and tournaments, including a state cup competition with the Clearwater Chargers, the LWR Remembers 9/11 event, the Labor Day Nike Cup soccer tournament and the Nike International Friendlies tournament. SMR also installed a $1.1 million lighting system in November.