Algonquin Sports Complex Expansion

This page provides a summary of the “Expansion of the Algonquin Sports Complex project” history and planned future activities. As new information becomes available, the text section below will be updated and the previous language will be moved down to the “history” and “links to historical information” sections. If you have specific questions that are not addressed on this webpage, please contact John W. Coffey, ICMA-CM, City Manager, at jcoffey@indianharbourbeach.gov or 321.773.3181.

Latest Information

In May 2025, work began on an estimated six-month expansion project that will build:
- A synthetic turf multi-purpose field
- Two basketball courts
- Two tennis courts
- Four pickleball courts
- Children's playground equipment
- Eight-stall restroom building (four men's and four women's)
- Walk trail
- Vehicular access connectivity between Osceola Drive and Crespino Court
- Two water retention ponds to safeguard the health of the Indian River Lagoon and help recharge the aquifer
- Security cameras
- Site reserved for a future baffle box to improve the health of the Indian River Lagoon
- Sites reserved for future amenities
- Expanded gated storage for the Public Works Department (dumpsters will no longer sit in the parking lot)
After completion of the above items, the following tasks will be accomplished:
- The walking trail will be extended through the western portion of the complex
- A pedestrian/bicyclist access point i the northeastern corner to Verbenia Drive
- Landscaping and a vegetative buffer along the eastern and southern sides of the expanded portion of the complex will be landscaped
- Benches, trash cans, and recycling receptacles will be installed

On December 19, 2024, the City Council awarded a not to exceed contract for construction services to Legacy Sports Surfacing, LLC in the amount of $4,339,490.07. Approximately $2.1 million in federal grant money will offset the City's costs.
On November 21, 2024, the City received the following proposals for the projects:
- Legacy Sports $4,379,252.05
- SCG Fields $5,390,000.00
- W&J Construction $5,989,569.00
The evaluation committee will meet at 11:00 am November 26, 2024, to rate the proposals. The City Council will hold a special meeting at 6:00 pm on Monday, December 2, 2024, to discuss the ratings, and provide direction to staff regarding contract negotiations or other possible courses of action. The December 2, 2024, City Council Meeting will be live-streamed. Both meetings will be held at the City Hall Council Chamber.
As of June 29. 2024, the design of the project reached the following milestones:
- Engineering and design development: 100% completed
- Permitting: 70% completed
- Architectural services: 14.5% completed
In late July 2024, the design team submitted the required permit application to St. John's River Water Management District.
Staff anticipates construction plans to be completed late September or early October with bidding of construction services to immediately follow. Award of contract for construction services is anticipated in late December with construction to begin in early 2025.

History

While the future use of the vacant nine-plus acres east of the ballfields has long been discussed, the current effort to develop the property began in earnest in 2021 when the City Council identified the project as a top priority in the development of the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget. This prioritization occurred at the approximate same time the City received notice of a $4.2 Million disbursement from the federal American Rescue Plan Act as distributed through the states. The City then applied for a state grant to fund a community-driven master plan for the site. After receiving notification of the grant not being awarded, the City Council funded the $43,000 master plan through local revenues, and an agreement was signed with the East Coast Florida Regional Planning Council (ECFRPC) for the work. Multiple public events were held, along with online input. The resulting plan, as presented to the City Council on May 11, 2022, included the following amenities:

•   Basketball courts
•   Pickle Ball courts
•   A Pump Track
•   Soccer Field
•   Gazebos
•   Playground
•   Splash pad
•   Dog park
•   Concessions and restrooms
•   Additional parking

There was some criticism of the community engagement as the public input was not segregated by residents versus non-residents and those unhappy with the findings claimed too many non-residents participated. A map, a graphical representation of the master planning process, and the conceptual map provided by ECFRPC are provided in the historical links below.

In Spring 2022, the Indian Harbour Beach Volunteer Fire Department and neighboring fire departments officially requested to use two acres of undeveloped land at Algonquin Sports Complex for a fire safety and training center. On July 21, 2022, a City Council workshop was held to hear a presentation by IHBVFD Chief Scaldo and allow for public input on the proposal. On August 8, 2022, the City Council formally voted to deny the request of the IHBVFD to use part of Algonquin Sports Complex for fire safety and training center.

On September 13, 2022, after issuing a request for qualifications, the City Council awarded a contract for phase one design of the Algonquin Sports Complex expansion project (based on the master plan developed by the ECFRPC) to Gale Associates for $91,176.00. The agenda memo from September 13, 2022, and the corresponding contract are provided below in the historical links. After considering the elements of the master plan, parking needs, needs of the Public Works Department, and stormwater retention needs, Gale Associates presented two options and cost estimates of specific elements to the City Council on February 28, 2023 (see historical links below for the documents). The City Council selected option B with minor changes being requested. The reader should note, that only phase one construction is planned at this time due to budgetary constraints. Staff believes the actual cost of phase one may be lower than estimated due to the planned acquisition of a pre-fabricated restroom building versus the site-built restroom as listed on the phase one plan and cost estimates. The presentation with cost estimates is provided in the historical links below.

On April 11, 2023, the City Council approved a revised option B conceptual plan as presented by Gale Associates. Per residents’ requests, the City Council instructed the design team to try to preserve the scrub oak trees, pine trees, and palm trees at the southern end of the undeveloped area. The conceptual final building out, phase one map, and phase two maps are provided in the below historical links.

The city authorized the following studies to ensure endangered and/or protected species are not harmed in the construction phase of the project:

• A gopher tortoise survey was completed in April 2023 and a removal permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was received on August 15, 2023, and is valid for one year. A copy of the tortoise survey map and relocation permit are included below in the historical links.

• A scrub jay survey was completed in April 2023 with zero birds being observed. On, June 14, 2023, the City received a “clearance” email from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service stating the federal government does not object to the development of the vacant land as far as scrub jay habitat protection is concerned. A copy of the email from the USFW is provided in the below historical links.

On July 25, 2023, after issuing a request for qualifications, the City Council awarded a contract for phase two design of the Algonquin Sports Complex expansion project (based on the selection option B under phase one design) to Gale Associates for $276,852.00. A summary of the costs per task is provided below:

Phase Two Cost and Task Breadown

The reader should note that although the City is currently only planning on constructing the phase one components, all infrastructural components of the total buildout will be designed and constructed to lessen future disturbance to the area. A copy of the Council Meeting agenda and an excerpt of the meeting minutes are provided in the below historical links.

Estimated Timeline

A summary of anticipated major milestones in the remainder of the project is provided below and will be updated when new information is received.

Historical Information (newest to oldest)

Frequently Asked Questions

Coming soon.