Futsal, a form of indoor soccer, is one of the sports offered at the Santa Fe Sportsplex in Porterville. Photo by Laura Rincon on Pexels.
Written by Ben Hensley
The City of Porterville announced Monday that it has been awarded a $2.5 million grant to develop the Santa Fe Sportsplex. The complex will ultimately be part of the Santa Fe Byway development and will include the sports complex, a new library and a new community recreation center.
Porterville is just one of 10 cities nationwide to receive the grant, which is awarded through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program. The program provides cities with matching grants for projects in underserved communities that help revitalize existing parks and provide outdoor recreational activities for residents.
The project, which includes ten lighted futsal courts, two lighted multi-purpose sports fields, restroom facilities and landscaping including drought-resistant trees, plants and solar lighting, will run along the Santa Fe Byway trail.
The aim of the development is to offer young people more opportunities for outdoor recreation.
The project, first announced in 2022received public support, which approved the use of funds for the expansion of extracurricular activities, especially football fields, and the expansion of active green spaces in the city.
In addition to funds generated from the planned sale of the Heritage Community Center and grants such as the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program, the project will also leverage funds from Measure R and various other park grants.
The cost of the entire project is estimated at about $5 million.
