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Jennings Sports Park aims to transform Delaware County with state-of-the-art complex

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6 months ago

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Jennings Sports Park aims to transform Delaware County with state-of-the-art complex

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Delaware County is set to become home to a new multisport complex officials hope will become a cornerstone of youth sports in central Ohio.

Jennings Sports Park, scheduled to open in the fall at Shanahan and Piatt roads, is under construction after the Delaware County Finance Authority approved a $6.7 million bond package last week.

The 57-acre complex, being developed by Windsor Companies, will include six artificial turf fields, adaptable for various sports including baseball, football, lacrosse and soccer. It will also feature a central pavilion with concession stands and restrooms, advanced lighting, video scoreboards and cutting-edge technology like automated line-marking robots and high-definition cameras for livestreaming events.

“Our goal has always been to build a state-of-the-art facility that will change lives not just for kids but for adults in our community too,” said Brad Jennings, owner of Jennings Land Development.

Jennings Park will serve as the home complex for the Triple Crown Royals travel baseball organization and the Columbus United club soccer team. Both teams will use the complex for both practice and games.

The park is expected to have a significant economic and community impact on Delaware County. According to Windsor Companies projections, attracting over 525,000 visitors each year could inject about $57 million annually into the local economy. This influx of visitors and economic activity is anticipated to boost local businesses, including restaurants, hotels and retail stores.

“It’s going to change the entire ecosystem,” Windsor Companies owner Alexius Dorsey said. “And I think it’s going to be a tremendous impact for the government, Evans Farms, as well as local public and private partnerships across the county.”

According to Dorsey, the sports complex will affect the Delaware economy similar to the likes of the Polaris mall.

“Tournaments and regional events that will be held there will draw in thousands from outside the central Ohio area,” Dorsey said.

Residents of Evans Farm, a housing development directly adjacent to the future complex, have expressed concerns about potential traffic congestion due to the influx of visitors to Jennings Park. According to Dorsey and associate developers, the park has been designed with three separate entrances to ensure smooth entry and exit.

“We have taken careful steps to ensure that our development enhances, rather than disrupts, the local community,” Dorsey said.

The genesis of Jennings Sports Park was rather personal — inspired by Brad Jennings’ son, who aspired to have his own baseball field. What started as a father’s desire to fulfill his son’s dream has evolved into a comprehensive project featuring various artificial turf fields adaptable for multiple sports.

“It’s really quite straightforward. We envision Jennings Park as more than just a venue for sports; we aim for it to embody the true spirit of modern sportsmanship.” Jennings said.

The project is underpinned by a mix of public and private funding. Initially, the project received a major boost with a $13 million mortgage from Ridgewood Bank, setting the stage for construction. As the need for extensive infrastructure grew, developers secured a $6.7 bond through the Delaware County Port Authority, designated for essential public amenities and scheduled for repayment over 30 years.

Local government and community groups have played crucial roles, providing approvals and support to ensure the project aligns with community needs and benefits.

“Without them (the Delaware County Finance Authority), I feel that this project wouldn’t have happened,” Jennings said. “They’ve been extremely beneficial to us and very supportive.”​

Dorsey agreed.

“This is a prime example of how public-private partnerships can facilitate significant community developments,” he noted.

Construction at Jennings Park is progressing smoothly, with the project currently about 70% complete. The park is on schedule to open its gates to the public by late fall.

jwolf@dispatch.com

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