Oct 2, 2016 3 min read

The new playing surface is as clean and crisp as a newly minted $10 bill. The lights are shiny and bright.

The renovation project recently completed at Vernon C. Neal Sportsplex in Washington Park has given the facility a much needed upgrade for its numerous sports programs.

And if the plan works out, there might be more to come.

The renovation project, estimated at $110,000, provided a playing surface by Pro Grass LLC, the same company that installed the artificial turf for Washington High School’s football field, among others. New lighting was provided by Schultz Electric of Washington. Schultz Electric installed the T-5 lights removed from the Sportsplex into the Brownson House, absorbing the labor costs.

“We had some concerns going in because it’s a lot of money to put back in,” said Jon Celani, executive director of the Sportsplex. “We understand that we have to keep the building renovated, keep it updated, just to continue providing the outstanding programs to the community.”

The money for the renovation costs was raised through the programs provided by the Sportsplex and donations. Repairs began Aug. 22 and the installation of turf began Aug. 29 and was completed in mid-September. The Sportsplex was shut down for three weeks while the work was being done.

“The old turf was just wearing out,” said Harry Sanders, general manager of the facility. “It was 12 years old and had been in here since the facility opened in 2004. We knew a few years ago that this was something we had to do. The lighting, when it was put in in 2004, was cutting edge. Technology moves quickly. This is LED lighting and it’s a lot brighter than the T-5 we used to have.”

The programs offered at the Sportsplex include adult flag football, youth flag football, indoor soccer, in-line hockey and volleyball. Sanders said more than 1,000 people participate in the Sportsplex programs.

The Vernon C. Neal Sportsplex was constructed by funds raised by the Brownson House in 2004.

“This facility is an extension of what they do at the Brownson House,” Sanders said.

Celani said the long-range plan is to “build a new facility” to replace the Brownson House.

“We are in the (preliminary) stages to getting a new facility built,” Celani said. “We’re not sure (it will be built on the same site) but that’s where we’re looking at right now.”

Among the activities offered as the Brownson House are girls fall basketball, youth football, a boxing show, boys basketball, girls spring basketball and summer basketball.

“More than anything else with the Brownson House, we’re landlocked,” Celani said. “We have one gym floor and it makes it difficult to do a lot of scheduling. … If we had a facility that had three or four floors, we could expand what we’re doing. We could go to more tournaments, volleyball, basketball, wrestling. We’re seeing growth in AAU programs and travel programs. That’s where I see it possibly going (with a new facility). We would not want to lose any of our current programs.”