FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) — The city of Fayetteville has formalized an agreement with Fort Liberty to build a sports complex on part of the military installation’s land, in a move city officials say will create a major new attraction for families and military personnel in the nearby College Lakes area.
The baseball fields clustered at New Century International Elementary and Middle School provide a good visual idea of what city officials are hoping to build at the new sports complex.
The sports complex will be built on the right side of MacArthur Road as you drive off I-295. Organizers with Fayetteville City Hall say the 70-acre site will feature multiple baseball and softball fields, as well as amenities such as a splash pad and playground. The free park will be a welcome addition to Fort Liberty families and military personnel.
“This is just one of many initiatives we’re working on to attract people to stay in Fayetteville,” Fayetteville City Councilwoman Kathy Jensen said, “to get people in their 30s and 40s to stay here, start families here, build lives here.”
The city said the $15 million project would be paid for through a 2016 parks and recreation bond, but officials are working to secure grant funding so taxpayers don’t end up footing the bill. People who live in homes around the proposed sports complex said they support the effort.
“It’s good to give somebody a safe place to go and play,” Glenn Somerville said.
“There are a lot of underprivileged kids in Cumberland County and something like this can help them,” Kendra Chestnut said.
Jensen said the city expects to break ground by early next year.
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