Enhancement of amenities and improvements to infrastructure planned
On Oct. 30, through a continued partnership, the City of Venice and Sarasota County Government completed the conveyance of Wellfield Park to the county, “ paving the way for its transformation into a regional sports complex” located at 1300 Ridgewood Ave. in Venice, county staff has announced.
“Named for the site of the City of Venice’s first drinking water wells, Wellfield Park features several athletic amenities, including baseball fields, croquet courts, a football field, multipurpose fields, soccer fields and softball fields,” the release points out. “With numerous athletic fields, a picnic shelter and a playground, the property is a popular location for athletes and families,” it adds.
“The conveyance of Wellfield Park represents a shared investment in our community’s future,” said Sarasota County Administrator Jonathan Lewis in the release. “Transforming it into a regional sports complex reflects our commitment to creating welcoming spaces where residents can stay active, enjoy a variety of sports and support their favorite teams. We are excited about partnering with the community at large and the City of Venice to enhance this great amenity,” Lewis added in the release.
Following the closing and conveyance of Wellfield Park, all operations, maintenance, repairs and replacements “will become the responsibility of Sarasota County,” the release points out. The redevelopment plans for the property include enhancements to the amenities and improvements to the park’s infrastructure, the release notes. “This project is receiving funding from both the city and the county,” it adds.
“The Wellfield Park property conveyance is a big win for Venice and for the region,” said Venice City Manager James Clinch in the release. “I want to thank our City Council for their unwavering support, and Sarasota County for their investment to make Wellfield Park a high-quality regional sports complex,” Clinch continued. “This milestone reflects what is possible when local governments work together with a shared commitment to serving the community.”
Wellfield Park will be the fourth regional sports complex in Sarasota County, joining the 17th Street Park in Sarasota, the Englewood Sports Complex and Twin Lakes Park on Clark Road in Sarasota, the release says. “These multi-sport complexes, with versatile designs, host a wide range of athletic events — from local competitions to major tournaments — enhancing community engagement and attracting visitors to Sarasota County,” the release points out.
For more information on Wellfield Park, visit SarasotaCountyParks.com.