Ashton Brosnaham Park To Get $2.7 Million Locker, Multipurpose Building
January 20, 2023
The county will construct a new $2.7 million multiuse locker room facility at Ashton Brosnaham Park.
At a Thursday meeting, the Escambia County Commission approved a $2,714,510 contracted with AAA Affordable Structures for the two-story building (plans below) to meet the growing needs at the park off East 10 Mile Road.
Ashton Brosnaham has become a popular venue, hosting everything from the nationally televised SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament and other sporting events to birthday parties, family reunions and group meetings.
The open area within the new building will be suited for additional team lockers for those larger sporting events, and also compatible with the other activities.
The SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament will return to the park this fall. Last year’s event set attendance records. According to the SEC, there were 3,025 in attendance — the largest crowd for a game in the 37 years of SEC women’s soccer. The overall tournament also set a SEC record with 10,450 total fans. Escambia County will host the SEC Soccer Tournament through 2024.
And there’s another benefit from the tournament, the parks director said. Now that the tournament is packed up and gone for a year, upgrades to the facilities at Ashton Brosnaham remain to benefit local residents. There’s new turf on the stadium field, enhancements on the practice field, new fencing around the perimeter of the field along with other improvements.
“We made a lot of enhancements to brighten the facility. The SEC is here one week out of the year, but for 365 days a year our job is to serve the residents and the soccer community, Escambia County Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes said after the tournament. “We know they (local players) are going to be proud, and they’ll always be able to say that they’re playing at the venue that the SEC Soccer Tournament was held at.”
The modular-type building is expected to be completed in August.
RELATED:
- SEC Soccer Tournament Sets Attendance Records, Provides Local Economic Boost
- South Carolina Upsets No. 1 Seed Alabama For SEC Tournament Title (With Photo Gallery)
- Ole Miss Shuts Out LSU; Mississippi State Tops Texas A&M. And Escambia County Wins In SEC Tourney Day One
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Central Takes Two From Northview (With Photo Gallery)
January 20, 2023
The Central Jaguars took two in varsity action Thursday night against the Northview Chiefs.
Central 54, Northview 38 (Boys)
The Central Jaguars defeated the Northview Chiefs 61-21 Thursday night in Bratt.
The first period ended in a 4-4 tie, and the momentum continued with the Chiefs on top 15-12 by the half. Central battled back to a 21-21 tie before pulling ahead in the third period.
The varsity boys Chiefs (0-10) will host Flomaton (4-9) Friday night at 6:30.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Central 61, Northview 21 (Girls)
Central took a 16-1 lead in the first period on their way to a 61-21 win over Northview Thursday night in Bratt.
Northview varsity girls (1-10) will host Flomaton (1-5) Friday at 5 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Cheerleading Wins Regionals, Headed To State Championship
January 18, 2023
The Tate High School Aggie cheerleaders are the Florida High School Athletic Association Region 1 small varsity champions.
Tate outscored Nease (Ponte Verde), Fort Walton Beach and Navarre.
The Aggies will advance directly to the 2023 FHSAA competitive cheerleading state championships in Gainesville February 3-4.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Town Of Century Issues Proclamation Honoring Northview Chiefs Football
January 18, 2023
The Town of Century issued a proclamation Tuesday night honoring the Northview Chiefs football team and their season that ended in the FHSAA 1-Rural state title game.
“Thank you all for representing, not only the town, but our local communities as well,” Mayor Ben Boutwell said.
Northview finished an astounding 2022 season, the best in school history, at 13-1. In the state championship game December 10 in Tallahassee, the Chiefs fell to Hawthorne.
Pictured: Century Mayor Ben Boutwell presents a proclamation Tuesday night recognizing the Northview Chiefs to head coach Wes Summerford and assistant coach Jace Gandy. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Ball Registrations Open For NWE, Century And Molino
January 13, 2023
Ball registrations are underway for Northwest Escambia, Century and Molino.
Century Baseball Association
Registration for the Century Baseball Association is underway online for wee ball, t-ball, softball and baseball. An in-person registration will be held this Saturday, January 14. More info: Facebook.
Northwest Escambia Bradberry Park
Registration ends January 20 for Northwest Escambia t-ball, softball and baseball. Some age groups have a waitlist, but the league will attempt to form a new team with the required players and coaches.
Register online here. More info: Facebook.
Molino Recreation
Registration is now open for the Molino Recreation Association at Don Sutton Park for the 2023 baseball and t-ball seasons.
To register, click or tap here.
Registration is open for softball (except 12U), baseball and t-ball on a first come, first available basis. Softball registration closed January 10.
The baseball draft is January 24-27 and practice begins January 30. Opening day is March 4 and games end on May 5. More info: Facebook.
Northview Softball’s Emma Gilmore Signs With Bishop State
January 12, 2023
Northview High School softball senior Emma Gilmore signed Wednesday to play for Bishop State Community College.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview, Tate, Escambia High Softball Fields To Get New Lighting
January 11, 2023
The Escambia County District is planning to upgrade the softball field lighting at Northview, Tate and Escambia high schools.
The school district is accepting sealed bids through January 26, and interested contractors are required to attend a pre-bid conference on January 17 at Tate High School.
The winning bid and total cost will be approved by the school board at a later date.
Pictured: Lights shine above the Northview High School softball field as the sun sets on March 10, 2022. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Stadium Going Cashless For 2023
January 6, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos announced Thursday that Blue Wahoos Stadium will join ballparks and stadiums across the nation as a cashless venue during the 2023 Minor League Baseball season and at all future team events at the ballpark.
The transition to cashless payments at Blue Wahoos Stadium brings the ballpark in alignment with Major League Baseball stadiums across the country, joining 29 MLB teams with cashless stadium experiences including Pensacola’s affiliate, the Miami Marlins.
“Blue Wahoos Stadium will join stadiums and ballparks across the country in transitioning to a cashless experience, creating a faster, more efficient, and more secure payment system for fans,” team president Jonathan Griffith said. “Being cashless will help cut down on lines at concessions and the box office by making transactions quicker and offer added security for fans.”
Credit, debit, and gift cards will be accepted at all locations inside Blue Wahoos Stadium including the box office, Bait & Tackle Team Store, and concessions. Select locations will also process mobile tap-to-pay payments. The StadiumDrop app will remain available to fans, allowing them to order food and beverages for delivery directly to their seat.
Fans with cash will be able to exchange it for a stadium gift card at the Bait & Tackle Shop and box office at the ballpark.
Opening day for the Blue Wahoos is April 7.
Northview’s John Michael Ward Had 15 D1 Offers. He Chose South Alabama.
December 21, 2022
Northview High School lineman John Michael Ward committed Tuesday to the University of South Alabama Jaguars.
Ward had 15 Division 1 college offers, including UAB, Colorado State, Appalachian State, Georgia State and others.
“I chose close to home,” Ward said. “South had a great season last year, and I just really felt like being a part of it. I just love the coaches, love the players, and I’m ready to get back at it.”
During his senior season, Ward had 126 tackles, 30 for a loss and 70 pancake blocks in 12 games as the Chiefs finished as state 1R runner-ups.
NorthhEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
UWF Ranked No. 4 In Final 2022 AFCA D2 Coaches’ Top 25 Poll
December 21, 2022
The UWF football team was ranked fourth in the final 2022 AFCA Division II Coaches’ Top 25 Poll that was announced by the American Football Coaches Association.
UWF went 12-2 and advanced to the national semifinals of the NCAA Division II Football Championship, marking the program’s third appearance in the Final Four in four all-time postseason appearances since 2017.
This is the third time in the last five seasons to have a top four final ranking and the fourth time in that same span to be in the top 12. UWF has previously ended the 2017 season at No. 2, 2019 at No. 1 and 2021 at No. 12.
The Argonauts also won a share of the Gulf South Conference Championship for the second-consecutive year, going 6-1 in the league’s regular-season.
UWF is 56-21 all-time in six seasons since starting the program in 2016, and 12-3 in NCAA D2 Championship play, with the highest postseason winning percentage in D2 history at .800.
Photo: Morgan Givens/UWF.