SJC Celebrates Solomon Calhoun Community Center’s Brand-New Turf Field with Kickoff Celebration

23 October 2025
Category: SJC News Parks and Recreation
Tags: 2025

The artificial turf was part of the community center’s $2.1 million renovations

On October 18, 2025, St. Johns County celebrated the installation of artificial turf at the Solomon Calhoun Community Center’s (1300 Duval St., St. Augustine) football field ahead of the North Florida Wildcats’ homecoming game. The Office of Public Affairs produced a video to commemorate the event.

District 3 Commissioner and Board of County Commissioners Vice Chair Clay Murphy, District 2 Commissioner Sarah Arnold, and District 5 Commissioner Ann Taylor attended the event, along with various St. Johns County administrators and staff and several West Augustine area locals. Ahead of the speakers, attendees enjoyed a performance by the drumline of the St. Augustine High School Band.

“What really excites me about this is what Saturdays here are going to look like for the next 20 years,” said Ryan Kane, director of the St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department. “The efforts of everyone in the leadership of St. Johns County, the Board of County Commissioners, [has helped to] take St. Johns County’s quality of life and bring it up another level.”

The speakers were followed by a ribbon-cutting at the center of the field and a ceremonial pregame coin toss by Commissioner Murphy, with players from the North Florida Wildcats and Baker County Bobcats present.

The County broke ground on the turf replacement project in March, as part of the first phase of renovations planned for the Solomon Calhoun Community Center.

“When you see the results, when you get here and you see these kids on the field, and you see this amazing location… you realize that all the hard work, and all the struggles, and all the money, and all the sacrifice was worth every single penny,” said Commissioner Murphy.

A recurring theme throughout the speakers’ remarks was the positive impact the improved field and its year-round playability would have on the West Augustine community.

“My husband coached for so long, and one of the worst phone calls he would get would be, ‘The fields are closed due to rain,’” said Commissioner Taylor. “The fact that this is a turf field, it’s going to be used year-round, it’ll drain much better with the rains and it’s not going to be shut down… it looks absolutely amazing.”

“Once you get a kid involved early, they’re more apt to be successful in life,” said Greg White, founder and president of the West Augustine Historical Community Development Corporation. “Football—teamwork, communication, unity, it brings it all together, as well as soccer and other sports.”

“These kids have been playing in dirt for years, and to see this turf field come to life… the community’s fought so hard for it,” said Commissioner Arnold. “It’s been my honor to have kind of spearheaded this project and seen it through.”

“I am amazed at how proactive our outstanding Parks and Recreation Department is at seeing a need and addressing it,” said Krista Joseph, District 4 Commissioner and Chair of the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners. “They work together and listen to the wishes of our community. I’m proud to know them and to be a part of the team effort to meet our residents’ recreation needs.”