OCALA, FL (352today.com) – It was an opportunity to commemorate the opening of new fields that will create a premier experience for both athletes and spectators.
Marion County held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Advent Fields at Rotary Sportsplex on Wednesday April 1, 2026.
“We are absolutely thrilled for you to join us for this game-changing occasion,” said Jim Couillard, Marion County Parks and Recreation director and landscape architect. “Tonight we’re just not cutting a ribbon, we’re celebrating a leap forward in officially putting Marion County on the map.”
The Rotary Sportsplex is the first public park in Marion County to feature high-performance synthetic turf on two primary soccer fields, said Couillard.
“This transformation was funded through a collective belief in the value of public parks and was more importantly the power of parknerships,” said Couillard. “We want to extend our deepest gratitude to those who made this vision a reality. Our Marion County board of county commissioners, thank you for your unwavering support and your persistence plan for excellence. AdventHealth Ocala, we’re incredibly grateful for your generous $1 million sponsorship, which was the heartbeat for this project…The Tourism Development Council. Loretta Shaffer, thank you for your support in making this complex a premier destination for sports tourism even more than it already is. As a director, I can say with certainty, these robust community partnerships are transforming the future of youth sports and wellness in Marion County for generations to come.”
The design team was led by Rick Busche and Jose Lopez of Kimley-Horn. The fields’ lighting design is by Musco. These lights at the fields are the county’s first true LED system, said Couillard. Daly and Zilch were the site contractors on the project. The spectator seating was sponsored by Marion County Tourist Development.
By switching to synthetic turf, the county has expanded its field availability as well as boosting player safety, said Couillard. Underneath the turf profile, there’s a one-inch pad, allowing sports like rugby to be played on the field safely. That’s one of the big upgrades from going from natural grass to synthetic.
“This project is a blueprint for what we can achieve when we work together,” said Couillard. “We look forward to working with our community to find even more opportunities and partnerships that enhance the quality of life.”
The vision became a realityÂ
However, the project almost didn’t happen, said Carl Zalak, III, Marion County Commission chair.
“We built $5 million fields, and we only had $4 million, until our community partners stepped up and filled the gap to make this happen. Erika (Skula, AdventHealth Ocala president and chief executive officer) and her team is why we’re sitting here tonight.”
The project represents something bigger than just a few new fields, said Zalak. It reflects a commitment to investment in the community, in families and most importantly in the kids, he said.
“When I got to play ball as a young man, when you score your first touchdown, when you kick your first goal, you remember that for the rest of your life,” said Zalak. “When you win a championship on a field, like some of you will do this year, you’re going to remember that championship and you’re going to remember where you came from because you came from right here, and liberty will always live in Marion County because we’re going to pursue greatness wherever we can, however we can, with a relentless attitude, and that’s why your board of county commissioners funded this project to make sure that the kids of Marion County not only had a great place, but had the best place to play. And you know what, we were running short on fields, running short on lighting, running short on everything as our community was growing, but your commissioners stepped up. I want to commend Commissioner Matt McClain, this is your district, Dist. 3.”
It takes an entire community to make these things happen, said Zalak. It’s vision that has finally come to fruition, and it was through the collaborative efforts, that when you have an organization, local government and community leaders pulling in the same direction great things can happen and you can accomplish something truly special, he said.
“I also want to recognize the investment that’s about access. It’s about making sure that kids in Marion County have a place to grow, a place to play, a place to compete for a lifetime,” said Zalak. “Times change, and we need to have fields that are lit all night long. When the seasons change, we can still play ball and have great after-school programs right here on these facilities. Tonight we celebrate the signal of where we’re headed. We’re continuing to look for opportunities to enhance our park system, strengthen our recreational offerings and ensure that Marion County remains the place where quality of life choice really matters.”
The power of partnershipsÂ
Skula understands that the sports complex plays a significant role in the community, and it meant so much to her to see the families, athletes, coaches and AdventHealth’s partners gather together in one place, one that clearly represents connection, growth, and possibility.
“I’m deeply grateful to the board of Marion County Commissioners, the Marion County Parks and Recreation team and every individual who helped bring this vision to life, together you have created more than a sports complex, you have built a lasting legacy of wellness, inclusion, and opportunities for generations to come,” said Skula. “At AdventHealth our mission is to extend the healing ministry of Christ, and that mission reaches far beyond the walls of our hospital. It’s about meeting people where they live, meeting them where they learn, where they play and where they grow.”
AdventHealth Field at Rotary Sportsplex is a powerful example of what’s possible when a community unites around a shared commitment to the well-being of its people, said Skula. As the community continues to grow, it’s essential that we grow with intention, and that means championing healthy lifestyles, creating safe and inspiring spaces and ensuring our children have every opportunity to stay active, engaged and well, physically, emotionally and socially. Places like this give families a place to gather, kids a place to thrive and our community a foundation for lifelong wellness, she said.
“Why does it matter so much, when we invest in our youth, we invest in the long-term health of our entire community,” said Skula. “Sports and physical activity build more than strong bodies, they foster confidence, resilience, teamwork and habits that last a lifetime. We’re proud to stand alongside these opportunities that are possible right here in Marion County.”