The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority approved $2.65 million in funding to restore and improve two local sports complexes, John B. Lewis Soccer Complex and Bob Lewis Ballpark. Through Tourism Product Development Fund dollars, each area will be able to better support traveling sports, tournaments, and local teams.
Of the sum, nearly $2.2 million was awarded to the John B. Lewis Soccer Complex to rehabilitate the fields after damage from Helene. The complex supports both local sports programs, like youth and adult recreation soccer, lacrosse, and ultimate frisbee, and brings traveling tournaments to our area. The complex is expected to reopen much faster than the surrounding recreation areas on Azalea Road, according to the city.
Bob Lewis Ballpark will receive $500,000 to pave the gravel lot and increase the capacity for weekend tournaments. With the new bridge at Enka Commerce Park bringing traffic, roadside parking is no longer an option.
In more sports news, the Franklin School of Innovation will break ground on a turf athletics field on Wednesday, June 4, adding a 60,800 sqft field for soccer and flag football. The school hopes to wrap up construction in August to open the field to other local schools, organizations, and sports teams.
