Charlotte, NC—  Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation will unveil plans for a new sportsplex in West Charlotte Monday evening, July 14, 2008 at 6:30pm at a community meeting at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 3301 Beatties Ford Road. Interested citizens are invited to attend. The sportsplex will be developed in partnership with the church.

In 2004 voters passed at referendum $8 million for public/private recreation partnerships. Interested groups in the community were invited to submit proposals. The proposal from Friendship Missionary Baptist Church was selected for a $2 million sportsplex. The church will lease 22 acres behind the church to the County for an initial period of 40 years. The County bond funds will pay for design and construction. The County will manage and operate the sportsplex, which will be built in phases.

The $2 million Phase I is projected to include a combination of softball fields and an overlaying  multi-purpose field,  restrooms, entry road and parking. Construction is expected to start in late 2009.