Cecil Recreation Complex
Encyclopedia
The Cecil Recreation Complex at the Cecil Commerce Center
is a comprehensive recreational facility on the west side of Jacksonville, Florida
. The $25 million project was part of the 2000 Better Jacksonville Plan
and will eventually include 1500 acres (6.1 km²). The City of Jacksonville, Parks and Recreation department manages the facilities.
included nearly 23000 acres (93.1 km²). During that era, the city of Jacksonville created the Cecil Field Park, which is now part of the Cecil Recreation Complex. The new gymnasium and fitness center are located there. Amenities that remain from the Navy days include: an 18-hole golf course, two lighted baseball fields, an outdoor basketball court, a Football field, two pedestrian docks for fishing at Lake Newman, numerous picnic tables, grills, and playground equipment; restrooms, two adult softball fields, a youth softball field and six lighted tennis courts.
is the jewel of the Cecil Recreation Complex. The 125000 square feet (11,612.9 m²) multi-purpose center was opened in March 2004 and its 4,000 seats have hosted a diverse group of events which range from Dressage
to Rodeo
; the Royal Lipizzan
Stallions to the 4-H
annual horse show. Non-equestrian events have included Monster truck
shows, Demolition derby
, music concerts and band camp.
classes are utilized by many senior citizens and a youth swim team is sponsored during the summer.
teams and girls tee-ball
. Lake Fretwell Adult Softball features two fields and two pavilions.
exercise equipment for individual use. Programs include Cardiovascular workouts, senior aerobics and personal training. Saunas are located in both locker rooms.
30.2401976°N 81.9066811°W
Cecil Commerce Center
Cecil Commerce Center is a significant, long-term economic development asset to the City of Jacksonville, representing more than 3 percent of the land area in Duval County . It is promoted as one of the most sought after locations in the Southeastern United States for manufacturing, supply chain...
is a comprehensive recreational facility on the west side of Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
. The $25 million project was part of the 2000 Better Jacksonville Plan
Better Jacksonville Plan
The Better Jacksonville Plan is a growth management plan implemented by the city of Jacksonville, Florida. It was the signature project of Mayor John Delaney. It was approved by Jacksonville voters on September 5, 2000...
and will eventually include 1500 acres (6.1 km²). The City of Jacksonville, Parks and Recreation department manages the facilities.
History
Prior to 1999, Naval Air Station Cecil FieldNaval Air Station Cecil Field
Naval Air Station Cecil Field or NAS Cecil Field was a United States Navy base, located in Duval County, Florida. NAS Cecil Field was the largest military base in the Jacksonville, Florida, area....
included nearly 23000 acres (93.1 km²). During that era, the city of Jacksonville created the Cecil Field Park, which is now part of the Cecil Recreation Complex. The new gymnasium and fitness center are located there. Amenities that remain from the Navy days include: an 18-hole golf course, two lighted baseball fields, an outdoor basketball court, a Football field, two pedestrian docks for fishing at Lake Newman, numerous picnic tables, grills, and playground equipment; restrooms, two adult softball fields, a youth softball field and six lighted tennis courts.
Equestrian center
The Jacksonville Equestrian CenterJacksonville Equestrian Center
The Jacksonville Equestrian Center is an equestrian facility at the Cecil Commerce Center in Jacksonville, Florida. It consists of an indoor multi-purpose arena, officially named Championship Arena , two outdoor competition arenas, two outdoor warm-up arenas, a turf arena, 426 permanent stalls,...
is the jewel of the Cecil Recreation Complex. The 125000 square feet (11,612.9 m²) multi-purpose center was opened in March 2004 and its 4,000 seats have hosted a diverse group of events which range from Dressage
Dressage
Dressage is a competitive equestrian sport, defined by the International Equestrian Federation as "the highest expression of horse training." Competitions are held at all levels from amateur to the World Equestrian Games...
to Rodeo
Rodeo
Rodeo is a competitive sport which arose out of the working practices of cattle herding in Spain, Mexico, and later the United States, Canada, South America and Australia. It was based on the skills required of the working vaqueros and later, cowboys, in what today is the western United States,...
; the Royal Lipizzan
Lipizzan
The Lipizzan or Lipizzaner , is a breed of horse closely associated with the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria, where the finest representatives demonstrate the haute école or "high school" movements of classical dressage, including the highly controlled, stylized jumps and other movements...
Stallions to the 4-H
4-H
4-H in the United States is a youth organization administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the United States Department of Agriculture , with the mission of "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development." The name represents...
annual horse show. Non-equestrian events have included Monster truck
Monster truck
A monster truck is a pickup truck, typically styled after pickup trucks' bodies, modified or purposely built with extremely large wheels and suspension...
shows, Demolition derby
Demolition derby
Demolition derby is a motorsport usually presented at county fairs and festivals. While rules vary from event to event, the typical demolition derby event consists of five or more drivers competing by deliberately ramming their vehicles into one another...
, music concerts and band camp.
Community Center
The center has programs for children, teens, senior citizens and home schooling. Computer literacy programs are available for everyone. Community organizations can utilize the facilities for their meetings, and private groups can rent it for special events.Aquatics Center
The heated indoor pools can be used year-round, but in the summer, large glass panels are opened for air circulation. The facility has hosted scores of high school swim meets since 2004. In addition to open swimming, lessons are available for children and adults. Infants and toddlers have their own programs, water babies and water tots, respectively. Water aerobicsWater aerobics
Water aerobics or "waterobics" is the performance of aerobic exercise in shallow water such as a swimming pool. In some areas it is known as AquaFit or "aqua aerobics", and is a type of resistance training.-Benefits:...
classes are utilized by many senior citizens and a youth swim team is sponsored during the summer.
Softball diamonds
The Cecil Fastpitch Softball Complex includes four lighted fields, with usage limited to girls fastpitch softballFastpitch softball
Fast-pitch softball is a form of softball played commonly by women and men, though coed fast-pitch leagues also exist. The International Softball Federation is the international governing body of softball...
teams and girls tee-ball
Tee Ball
Tee Ball or T-Ball is a sport based on baseball and is intended as an introduction for children to develop baseball skills and have fun. The name Tee Ball is a registered trademark while T-Ball is the generic name, although many sources use Tee Ball as a generic title.- Description :In T-Ball, the...
. Lake Fretwell Adult Softball features two fields and two pavilions.
Gymnasium
Activities in the gym itself are open basketball and volleyball; racquetball courts are also utilized. The fitness center includes free weights and NautilusNautilus, Inc.
Nautilus, Inc. , located in Vancouver, Washington, United States, is the marketer, developer, and manufacturer of branded health and fitness products sold under such names as Bowflex, Nautilus, PEARL iZUMi, Schwinn Fitness, StairMaster, Trimline and Universal.Nautilus and its corporate...
exercise equipment for individual use. Programs include Cardiovascular workouts, senior aerobics and personal training. Saunas are located in both locker rooms.
External links
- Official site at Jaxevents.com
- City of Jacksonville, Recreation & Community Services, Cecil Recreation Complex
30.2401976°N 81.9066811°W