TDC Recommends $25 Million For Upgrades At John R. Jones Complex, Including Artificial Turf
April 22, 2025
The Escambia County Tourist Development Council (TDC) has approved a $25 million allocation for upgrades, including artificial turf, for the John R. Jones complex on East Nine Mile Road with a focus on sports tourism.
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners must give final approval to funding the project, and the dollar figure could change.
“I am under the impression that there is a lot of momentum behind this from the board,” said Ashlee Hofberger, TDC board member and Escambia County District 4 commissioner. “Obviously I am only one of five, but I think a lot of people are excited about this. It’s just a question of how we balance the spending with the (Pensacola) Bay Center spending. Just knowing that all of that has to come from the same pot, one of those projects is going to have to be scaled back to some degree.”
Last year, the TDC approved $90 million on for significant upgrades and enhancements at the Pensacola Bay Center and to construct a new indoor sports facility at Ashton Brosnaham Park in District 5. The BOCC has or moved forward on Ashton Brosnaham and has considered four concept designs ranging from $22 to$104 million for just the Bay Center.
The TDC’s vote recently to recommend $25 million for John R. Jones was 5-3. With the Bay Center cost weighing into the decision on a negative vote for at least one TDC member. Charles Bare, who also serves on the Pensacola City Council. said he wanted to wait and see what the final price tag for Bay Center upgrades will be.
“It’s not because I don’t support youth sports,” Bare said at the TDC meeting. “I think without having a clear picture of where we are going with the Bay Center right now, that’s just more critical to the city at this point, not that city residents won’t enjoy what’s happening up there at this particular facility, but it is more focused on the county at large. I just want to make sure there’s plenty of funding there to do whatever we are going to do at the Bay Center.”
“I love the thought of us hosting the softball, baseball, and lacrosse tournaments so many of our families are currently traveling to play in tournaments,” Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said Monday afternoon. “Also, the thought of all those teams coming to our community in the future, staying here and spending money at our local businesses should benefit all Escambia citizens. That’s something that should make everyone smile.”
In September 2024. the TDC recommended an indoor sports facility costing up to $60 million for Escambia County’s Ashton Brosnaham Park, and about $30 million in upgrades for the Pensacola Bay Center.
Barry said Monday that the Ashton Brosnaham project “isn’t currently moving forward”.
John R. Jones Complex
The John R. Jones complex currently has 18 baseball and softball fields, plus two rectangular multi-use fields for sports such as football, lacrosse, soccer, cheerleading and more.
Over $2 million in LED lighting improvements were made last year at the park.
According to the proposal, the new facility would attract hundreds of teams, players and fans for tournaments and be competitive with similar facilities in nearby communities such as Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Panama City, Fort Walton Beach, Daphne and more.
There are 23 hotel properties within seven miles, and it is about 15 minutes from the Pensacola International Airport.
The Nine Mile Road facility would have the capacity to host 39 weekend tournaments plus 12 full week tournaments during the summer, creating over $2.3 million in revenue subject to the tourist development tax.
Breaking Down The $25 Million
The $25 million would fund:
- $20 million – Artificial turf for 20 Fields
- Approx. $1 million per field
- 18 multi-dimensional diamond fields,
- Plus, two rectangular multi-use fields
- $500,000 – Landscaping & Common Areas
- Flower beds and aesthetic landscaping
- $1.2 million – Sidewalks & Parking Upgrades
- Entryway and sidewalk connectivity
- $1 million – Fence, Shade & Dugout Work
- Overall fence work, shade areas & dugout upgrades
- $1.5 million – Concessions & Building Upgrades
- Remodeling and upgrading buildings.
- Miscellaneous Expenses – $400,000
- Various Aesthetic Upgrades
- Design – Permits or Consulting Fees – $400,000
- Potential fees for design or consulting
Escambia County Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes aid a conversion to article turf fields, would also eliminate the need and expense of fertilizers, pesticides, water, and mowing.
Stakeholder Support
The project has received letters of support from key stakeholders, including:
- NEP Baseball
- 2D Sports
- USSSA
- USFA
- UWF
- PSC
- Home2 Suite – Davis Hwy.
- Courtyard West Pensacola
- Zen Hospitality
- Escambia County Destination Marketing Organization
“We strongly believe these improvements will provide significant benefits not only to the park itself but also to Escambia County and the surrounding communities,” said John Buck, NEP president. “One of the most impactful upgrades being discussed is the transition to turf fields. By making this change, NEP Ballpark would become a premier facility capable of attracting multiple softball and baseball tournaments from surrounding areas—not only at a local and regional level but also on a national scale. These events would bring in teams, families, and spectators, providing a major boost to local businesses, hotels, and restaurants while further establishing Pensacola as a top destination for youth and amateur sports.”
Window Tint Violation Leads To Arrest Of Century Man On Drug Charges
April 22, 2025
A routine traffic stop by an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy for a window tint violation led to the arrest of a Century man and the discovery of a cache of illegal drugs, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Joseph Edward Campbell, 39, was charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute and four counts of possession of a controlled substance.
Deputies say Campbell was pulled over in a black Chevy Silverado due to illegally tinted windows. The deputy reported the front driver-side window registered only 5% light transmission and the passenger-side window 0%, both far below the 25% legal limit.
The deputy noted a strong odor of burnt marijuana coming from the truck. A tint meter test confirmed the illegal window tinting, and both Campbell and front-seat passenger were asked to step out.
According to an arrest report, a probable cause search of the vehicle uncovered a black magnetic box under the driver’s seat containing multiple controlled substances and drug paraphernalia:
- 3.43 grams of crystal methamphetamine in a ripped plastic baggie
- 18 Amiodone metadona pills (Schedule 2) in original blister packaging
- Pills that tested positive for fentanyl
- A glass smoking pipe with residue
- 2 Buprenorphine and Naloxone Sublingual film strips (Schedule 3) in original packaging
- Additional loose metadona pills in a separate bottle
The sheriff’s report noted the substances were individually packaged in a manner consistent with drug distribution. Deputies said a post-arrest search of Campbell’s wallet yielded $598.75 in various denominations.
Campbell’s truck and the cash were seized. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $45,000 bond.
Ascend Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy; Local Site To Continue Normal Operations
April 21, 2025
Ascend Performance Materials on Monday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.
If approved, Chapter 11 allows a company to reorganize its finances without the threat of creditors’ lawsuits. The reorganization plan must be accepted by a majority of its creditors.
The Pensacola Ascend plant on Old Chemstrand Road and rest of the company will continue to operate as usual during the process.
“Our site has been producing quality materials and providing stable, high-paying jobs in this community for over 70 years, and this restructuring agreement will provide a foundation for us to continue that legacy,” said Senior Site Director Kevin Heisel. “The products our Pensacola employees produce enable automobiles, appliances, electronics and a wide range of other important products to operate safely and efficiently and improve the lives of millions of people around the world each day. We are focused on continuing safe and reliable operations to manufacture these materials for our customers.”
The company has received a commitment for $250 million in debtor-in-possession financing from certain of its lenders, which is expected to provide the company with sufficient liquidity to support Ascend throughout the Chapter 11 process. Ascend aims to complete the process in approximately six months.
Ascend has filed a number of customary “first day” motions with the bankruptcy court seeking approval to support its operations during the Chapter 11 process, including paying employee wages, salaries and benefits without interruption. The company expects to receive approval of these motions in the coming days. Ascend intends to pay vendors and suppliers in full for goods and services provided on or after the filing date in accordance with the bankruptcy code.
“Ascend has made significant strides in transforming our business, with a focus on efficiency and driving cost reductions while ensuring that we are able to operate safer than we ever have before,” said Phil McDivitt, President and CEO of Ascend Performance Materials. “Over the last several months, we have been working with our lenders to define the best path forward for Ascend. The restructuring will substantially reduce Ascend’s debt and ensure that we are well-positioned to continue executing on our long-term strategy. We are confident that the Chapter 11 process will put us on a path to becoming an even stronger company with a healthier financial structure and better positioned to continue delivering high-performance materials that improve the lives of our customers.”