Big expansion coming to Lakewood Ranch’s Premier Sports Campus. Here’s what to know
.png "Renderings for the upgrades and additions to the Premiere Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch.")
The Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch is getting a makeover.
Manatee County officials recently approved a major expansion that will bring swimming, pickleball and more recreation options to the popular complex.
It’s also getting a re-brand.
The new expansion will be called Premier Sports Campus North, county officials said in a news release. The existing facility at 5895 Post Blvd. will become Premier Sports Campus South.
New sports, amenities planned for Premier Sports Campus North
The new Premier Sports Campus North will feature a $44.2 million Athletics & Aquatics Center. The 44,000-square-foot facility will have a swimming pool, therapy pool, locker rooms, restrooms and a geothermal yard, the news release said.
The North campus is also getting 24 pickleball courts, including 14 shaded courts, plus walking trails and a 166-vehicle parking lot.
County commissioners approved a construction contract for the new athletic campus in December.
A groundbreaking is scheduled for Jan. 30, county spokesperson Bill Logan said.
“This expansion reflects our ongoing commitment to providing top-tier recreational facilities and programs for our community,” Manatee County Commissioner Bob McCann said in the news release. “This park, a space dedicated to fostering recreation, environmental sustainability, and community connection will serve as a vibrant hub where families, friends, and neighbors can gather, play, and create lasting memories in a beautiful natural setting.”
It will be open to the public.
County to manage Premier Sports Campus South
Premier Sports Campus South will continue to host large-scale sporting events on its 23 outdoor fields, the news release said. The facility also offers concessions and event space.
Manatee County Sports & Leisure will take over day-to-day management from the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, the news release said.
“This allows the Bradenton Area Tourism Bureau to focus on competitively attracting national sporting events to Premier Sports Campus South which stimulate an annual $45 million impact to the local economy,” tourism bureau executive director Elliott Falcione said in the news release.
Schroeder-Manatee Ranch opened the original 127-acre Premier Sports Campus facility in 2011, and Manatee County purchased it in 2017.
The south campus has hosted several soccer tournaments since its inception, including the NIKE International Friendlies.
