Director Jim Couillard, PLA, ASLA
Project Rotary Sportsplex
Cost $415,000
Size 80 acres
Contractor Boyle Construction, Ocala (batting cage) Ethridge Construction, Ocala (ADA and spectator improvements)
Established in 1998, Rotary Sportsplex provided the community with 11 baseball fields and five soccer fields. The improvements to the park completed in 2018 include the construction of a batting cage suitable for people 12 years and older, the addition of ADA parking and accessible sidewalks, and spectator enhancements around the Cal Ripken premier baseball field. Other improvements that enhance the user experience include new informational kiosks and themed elements such as the large baseball bollards at the quad entrance.
In 2017 Rotary Sportsplex had an estimated 233,000 users and was host to four tournaments, including the Cal Ripken T-Ball Qualifier, Cal Ripken Rookie Qualifier, Cal Ripken 10B 12B State Tournament, and the Babe Ruth 13 & 14 Southeast Regional Tournament. These tournaments had a combined economic impact of $3.6 million dollars on Marion County.
The improvements to Rotary Sportsplex are part of the Marion County Parks and Recreation Department’s 10-year master plan initiative adopted in 2017. They are the first phase of an ongoing effort to make the entire park accessible for all.
H1 – New sidewalks at the Rotary Sportsplex make the park more accessible for everyone.
H2 – Large baseball bollards positioned at the park entrance help carry through the sports theme of the park.
H3 – The new batting cages for the Babe Ruth Fields are designed for players age 12 and up.
