Florida Construction News staff writer
The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC), a national operator of youth sports and community recreation venues, announced plans to open 11 new facilities across the United States in 2026, including one in Florida.
The Sprowls Horizon Sports Park, located in Pinellas Park, is scheduled to open February 28, 2026. The facility will feature professional-caliber playing surfaces, Major League Spring Training replica fields, and spectator-friendly amenities aimed at hosting youth baseball and softball tournaments. SFC will serve as the operating partner, managing day-to-day operations, local programming, event bookings, marketing, and maintenance.
The company, which manages more than 100 primarily municipally owned facilities nationwide, reported its network, known as the SF Network, hosts over 30 million guest visits each year. The 2026 openings and groundbreakings include projects ranging from indoor–outdoor multipurpose fields to aquatics and pickleball complexes.
In Florida, SFC’s Pinellas Park project represents the state’s largest youth sports venue in the company’s current development slate. It is part of a broader trend of municipalities and developers partnering with professional operators to maintain and maximize large-scale recreational assets amid rising construction costs.
Other notable 2026 projects in the SFC pipeline include the Odessa Sports Complex in Texas and the Gadsden Athletic Center in Alabama, both slated to break ground this year.
“With rising construction costs and economic pressures, cities increasingly turn to professional operators to ensure facilities meet community needs while maintaining operational efficiency,” said Ashley Whittaker, SFC partner and senior vice president. “SFC has been purpose-built to balance mission, margin, and municipal goals.”
SFC’s Pinellas Park facility is expected to draw regional tournaments and community programming, contributing to the area’s economic activity while providing year-round sports and recreation opportunities.
Construction and project management details, including general contractors and timeline milestones, have not been disclosed.
