Transformation on the Horizon: Dorchester Co Prepares for State-of-the-art Sports Complex
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. – Prepare for a significant overhaul at one of the local landmarks in Summerville, as a $12 million investment prepares to elevate the current Oakbrook YMCA into a state-of-the-art sports complex. The project, coined as the Oakbrook Sports Complex, is set to breathe new life into the area while serving as a significant boost to outdoor recreation.
Oakbrook Sports Transformative Plan
The local YMCA will donate 17 acres of their current footprint to the cause, with the cost borne by the county. Since initial conception, the budget for the complex has more than doubled due to increased scope and specifications. The complex, still in the planning stages, will include professional-grade turf sports fields among other features to serve the greater Dorchester community.
“This very spot is where locals reminisce about their first kickball game, first swim and goals scored,” says Joe Debney, Summerville YMCA CEO. “We aspire to take it to a whole new level of sports and recreation.”
The existing ground suffers from poor drainage, uneven turf, and chalk outlines for sports fields. Upon completion, the newly formed complex will feature two soccer fields, multi-use athletic fields, parking facilities, a playground, concession stands, and restrooms, all of which will be equipped with subsurface drainage and ambient lighting.
Inching Towards Realization
Dorchester County Council Chairman Todd Friddle has hailed the initiative, citing how the new complex will create a venue for hosting travel sports in the area. He believes that the renovated facility will not just power local sporting activities but will also bolster sports tourism by attracting teams from outside, thereby stimulating the local economy.
The revitalization project is a part of the county’s larger aim to refurbish the Oakbrook area using Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds, where revenue collected from local taxes is reinvested in the same area.
The project faced a small setback due to logistical issues with the initial partner organization. However, council Chairman Friddle confirms that the county has now entered the permitting phase and anticipates a groundbreaking ceremony by the summer. Following this, it is envisaged that the project will take close to 18 months to become fully operational.
The optimistic timelines, despite the initial delays, signal a winners’ game not just for Oakbrook but for greater Dorchester. The community’s sporting dreams, it seems, are on the brink of turning into an exciting reality, thanks to a commitment and vision from county leaders.
