Blake has been fortunate to have an amazing stadium for the past few decades giving many of us great memories players and fans alike, as well as hosting many different sports. Though the field serves its purpose well enough it does lack in certain specific aspects, especially in its capacity, referring to the bleachers. Given this issue we find ourselves in luck as Tampa is hosting a new Women Soccer Club which will be part of a new women’s super league. The Club is called the Tampa Bay Sun and at the moment it doesn’t have any players, however by the time the field has under gone construction the team will play the first 5 seasons using Blakes new field. In response to the problems proposed, the current blueprint will be adding two more sets of bleachers on both ends which will increase the amount of people the stadium can hold. The stadium currently holds 1,800 people but will be upgraded to 5000 people, alongside this huge change they’re upgrading the turf field. Another great addition will be renovated locker rooms which will assuredly be appreciated by the athletes.
Christina Unkel, president of Super League Tampa Bay did not specify the cost of these renovations, but did say it would be a significant investment “in the millions”. The new team will be paying for it as well and not using tax payer money. This news is great and will positively effect the school and community as a whole bringing money and also improving presentation for all future Blake Football and Soccer games.
“The spirit of competition is very strong in us — as we all know, we’re Champa Bay — but so is the spirit of community,” Unkel said.
The Hillsborough county school board has passed off on the idea and construction has begun.
The Tampa Sun will be practicing nearby in Ybor as well on a site owned by Darryl Shaw a real-estate mogul ( Shaw has a large network of real-estate holdings in the area).
Possible problems however may arise with having to change the field layout after every football game and Soccer game, being that both sports require different colorings. Football has hash marks and large numbers while soccer has a large center circle and multiple other implements. Another issue is that they are ripping out the current turf which is extremely expensive and is likely going to be thrown out.
All in all this is a very promising venture that will help improve the community and bring even more recognition to our school and its extracurriculars!
Description on the TampaBay Sun FC: “We are building a professional women’s football club where all of Tampa Bay feels united under one club banner where, together, we celebrate the power of the beautiful game.”