Groundbreaking announced for $12 million Oakbrook Sports Complex

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD)–More recreational green space will soon come to Summerville as the Legislative Delegation and Dorchester County are partnering with the Summerville YMCA to develop a new sports complex.

The new Oakbrook Sports Complex will be a state-of-the-art sports facility built on a 17-acre site at Cross Creek Drive.

Residents can expect a turf field, courts, multipurpose spaces, a concession building, a playground, and access to the Sawmill Branch Trail System. Officials said the project is estimated to cost $12.3 million. The county is providing the funding, and the YMCA is providing the land.

The development of the area is apart of the Oakbrook Redevelopment Plan which aims to build-up the area with upgraded infrastructure and new community amenities.

Dorchester County says they used Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to keep tax hikes down for project financing. TIF allows governments to use the incremental increase in assessed value and property taxes to fund infrastructure improvements in a specific area without a tax increase, said the county.

$10,350,000 of the TIF funds were allocated towards the new sportsplex. The extra $2 million in funding was designated by the Legislative Designation.

“To hear somebody’s story of how they grew up on these fields, we want to honor what we’ve done in the past since the 70s and then take it to the next step in the future,” said Joe Debney, CEO of the Family YMCA.

The goal is to improve mental and physical well-being, and officials believe this community space is perfect.

“We want to focus on growing people, healthier spirits, minds, and bodies like all of those things are a focus, so as we continue to grow, we want to continue to enhance our community in any way possible,” said Debney.

Officials are inviting the public to the groundbreaking ceremony that will take place on August 7 at 9 a.m.

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