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Sports complex stays in county lineup

By KEVIN GRAHAM
Published August 17, 2006

TAMPA - Hillsborough Commissioner Kathy Castor tried unsuccessfully Wednesday to get a $40-million sports complex removed from a list of potential projects paid for with community investment tax money. Pointing to dozens of unfunded programs and rising road construction costs, Castor said the money could be better used elsewhere.

"At this time, I think it's simply a luxury we cannot afford," Castor said.

But no one on the board supported her motion.

"Championship Park," an amateur sports field to be built north of Plant City, was first proposed by commission Chairman Jim Norman. The board hasn't approved the plan or officially voted to use community investment tax money to build it.

Commissioner Tom Scott said the board already had agreed not to discuss Norman's idea until a feasibility study has been completed. Other commissioners agreed.

"I may sound a little like former Commissioner Jan Platt, but I don't know why we're having this discussion today," said Commissioner Ken Hagan.

Norman said that when he was elected to the board in 1992, the county's parks and recreation department was very poor and as jails fill up, citizens call for government to offer alternatives. Fostering youth sports could be that alternative, he said.

"I'm never going to take a back seat in fighting for opportunities for places for kids to play," Norman said.

[Last modified August 17, 2006, 06:27:34]