Everyone Wins With New Smith River Sports Complex
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No matter how many points teams score at the new Smith River Sports Complex, the city of Martinsville and Henry County are the ultimate winners.
The $8 million complex opened in July 2009, offering top-notch facilities for soccer and other sports, recreation opportunities and plenty of potential.
In its first weeks, the complex, operated by the Southern Virginia Recreation Facilities Authority, hosted a Challenger Sports British Soccer Camp for children ages 4-16, as well as an adult soccer tournament. In addition, the SRSC is the new home for the Piedmont Youth Soccer League, starting in fall 2009.
“So far, the community response to the outdoor complex has been very positive,” says Dennis Toney, executive director of the authority. “It’s a quality-of-life issue for them. They see something that will improve their standards of living by allowing their children to participate in soccer or football or other sports at a really very nice complex. It also has walking trails and picnic shelters; it’s a very inclusive complex that can be used in a variety of ways – not strictly for sports – but also for relaxation and just enjoying the outdoors.”
Toney says officials expect the complex also will provide a boost for the region’s economy.
“We hope it will generate some tourism travel in the area, with visitors booking hotel rooms, buying meals and shopping in stores,” Toney adds.
Located on 90 acres near the U.S. 58 Bypass at the Irisburg Road exit, the complex features two championship artificial turf soccer fields with lighting, electronic scoreboards and seating for 250 at each field, three full-size Bermuda grass fields with lights and irrigation, a practice field, concession stands, restrooms, two picnic pavilions, a playground and walking trails. Since it is adjacent to the Smith River, there are also plans for a canoe or kayak launch.
The complex is available for picnics, class and family reunions, church and school events. Open year round, the authority will collect user fees that will help offset operating costs.
Henry County donated the land where the complex is located, Toney says.
The complex was funded by the Harvest Foundation, which was established in 2002 to invest funds from the sale of Memorial Hospital back into the community.
“It is initially a soccer complex, but we’re looking at hosting most anything we can find sports-wise out there. We’ve talked to folks about lacrosse and field hockey, flag football and ultimate Frisbee. We’re looking at other things beyond soccer, but soccer is the initial driver,” Toney says. “We’ve got a lot of options. We’re at the tip of the iceberg now in getting started. We’re trying to wade in with some early events and, hopefully, it will build from there once people see it and get a chance to experience it.”
Story by Anne Gillem
