Board Votes to Purchase 11.5 Acres for Sports Park

By Arianne Aryanpur (Contact)

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Loudoun County supervisors took the first step last week toward building a sports park that would increase the number of playing fields in the western part of the county.

The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to purchase 11.5 acres from Loudoun residents Dennis and Linda Virts, who have agreed to donate an additional 25.5 acres for the park. The site is east of Hamilton and north of Business Route 7.

County officials said the park, which would include sports fields, concessions, restrooms and parking, would help meet a growing demand for playing fields throughout Loudoun.

The Virtses approached park officials last year with a proposal for the sports facility. Claire Smith, spokeswoman for the county Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, said the couple are active supporters of youth sports in Loudoun and were motivated by a desire to increase the number of fields in the county. A message left at the Virts residence Friday was not returned.

The board voted to purchase the 11.5-acre parcel for $300,000. There will be a 60-day due diligence period, Smith said, and closing on the sale is expected in September.

Smith said that park officials worked with the couple to create a concept for the park and that they will work together to draft design plans, which must be approved by the Board of Supervisors.

She said no estimates on the cost of developing the property were available.

Tagged: parks, sports

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