On Tuesday, May 7, the City of Huntsville celebrated the grand opening of its newly expanded soccer facility at the Loretta P. Spencer Sports Complex at John Hunt Park.

The addition of two synthetic turf fields and other improvements expanded the 20-acre championship sports facility. The fields are multipurpose and capable of hosting soccer, lacrosse, disc golf, and other field sports.

The expanded facility was dedicated in recognition of former Huntsville Mayor Loretta P. Spencer. Spencer was mayor of Huntsville from 1996 to 2008.

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle spoke at the dedication.

“We are honored to name this world-class facility after the person who made it possible. John Hunt Park would not be here without the vision of previous leaders that dedicated this land, the former airport, to recreational use. Mayor Spencer was instrumental in creating this facility in 2001,” said Mayor Battle.

“She brought both a champion soccer tournament here and built the stadium in one year,” continued Battle.

A lifelong sports enthusiast, Spencer initiated the planning process to convert the city’s former airport into John Hunt Park. Spencer also created the Huntsville Sports Commission.

Spencer had a vision for what John Hunt Park could become. She saw not just a place for community sports, but a world-class space for sports tourism that would bring value to the city.

The former mayor recruited and secured the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) State Soccer Tournament in 2001.

Spencer said she gives credit to a group of parents who came to her while she was mayor.

“They came to me and said ‘we’re in traveling soccer, and if you’ll build us the fields, we’ll bring the travelers to Huntsville,’” said Spencer.

With that came an economic boon for the hotels, shopping centers, restaurants, and the community, explained Spencer.

Charles Winters with the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) spoke with the Business Journal.

“Tournaments last multiple days. It’s a real economic boost to the community the entire time people are here for events. Last year the CVB recorded over 4 million visitors in the Rocket City, and sports tourism in Huntsville is a growing part of that figure,” said Winters.

Improvements to the sports complex were designed to be compliant with NCAA regulations.

The city’s goal was to construct a highly desirable location for sports tournaments as well as provide quality space for local community teams.

The improvements include two synthetic turf fields, shaded picnic areas, and an additional locker room and press facility. NCAA approved lighting and digital scoreboards were also added.