Recreation Dilemma

Monica King

Tommie Schilling, a Pennsylvania transplant, spends his time teaching spinning classes at a local gym, working 40 plus hours a week at a local software company then spends his spare time organizing and participating in charity softball tournaments for the past eight years.

As the Director of these events, Mr. Schilling said, “One of the things that is most disappointing as a softball players is the absence of a gemstone of an adult complex. Seminole and Osceola counties have premier complexes where you’re not embarrassed to bring in leagues from out of town.”

Is your Under 12 soccer team always in a battle to find a practice field? Is your neighborhood thinking about starting a basketball league but is unable to find a venue suitable for the age group? Or maybe there is interest in hosting a charitable softball tournament or other non-profit fund raising sporting event.

Orange County’s Parks and Recreations Department operates 93 parks, recreational facilities, and trails. The City of Orlando offers 115 recreational venues; 83 parks, 17 recreation centers, and 2 trails. So why are there still teams scrambling for practice fields and organizers searching out of the area for appropriate venues?

Perhaps these are several reasons behind the Orange County Recreational Sports Summit to be held on February 24, 2007. Hosted by Orange County’s Mayor Richard Crotty and the Board of County Commissioners the event will be held at the Renaissance Center at Curry Ford Community Park targeting participation from recreational and non profit sports providers within the county. Early registration for participation is required and the form can be found on the County’s website.

This is expected to be the place to begin discussions to open communications between diverse non-profit sports providers and begin exploring solutions to the issues and needs that have plagued league organizers for quite some time. Neighborhoods in East Orlando are not so new anymore. The Summit will also initiate a resource manual that outlines recreations organizations and program options for all citizens within the county.

Schilling has not looked at either East Orange County’s or East Orlando’s or it’s reaching communities for softball fields for his tournaments. Says Schilling, “The current fields are geared for little league teams. I’d love to host a whole tournament in Orlando. I live here in Orlando now, it’s my home, and I’d love to show it off.”

Not to mention the additional revenue such a tournament could add to area businesses. Schilling indicated, “Given the number of teams coming in through the airport, hotel needs, food, entertainment, registration, and field fees; the community could easily recognize, conservatively, no less than $100,000 in a weekend.”

An East Orlando resident, Regina Singleton stated, “You’re out of luck on the “new east side of town.” There’s not a full service community center or playing fields out here. Most of the neighborhoods have playgrounds but they’re small and geared toward toddlers or elementary age children. There’s no place for organized sports; I’ve seen Pop Warner cheerleaders practicing in bus circles at local schools.”

The City of Orlando offers 115 recreational locations; 83 parks, 17 park and recreation centers, 2 older adult recreation centers, 7 after school facilities, 4 special facilities, and 2 trails. From a golf course to after school programs, aquatics, athletic leagues, fitness centers and pottery studios, the City of Orlando offers diverse and affordable programs.

For residents of the East Orange County and City of Orlando communities that continue to crop up from Narcoossee Road to Alafaya Trail and beyond, southeast Orlando facilities are just east of Semoran Blvd, outside of easy access for residents into these expanded communities. With adult and youth clubs, alike, competing for affordable playing field space it has become obvious that open space conservation and park development is an investment that affords to reap strong economic benefits.