The 150-acre site of the Rocky Mount Sports Complex was previously a municipal airport. Project development required the demolition and recycling of over one mile of asphalt runways. Portions of the property had environmental contamination where crop dusters frequently used the airport and parked on site. The environmental cleanup operation occurred concurrently with park construction. The site presented other physical challenges as well. Project elements were carefully located to preserve over four acres of wetlands. Positive drainage was also a challenge because the existing site had only four to six feet of grade change with a significant portion of land in the flood plain.
The site was designed to provide positive drainage, increase detention storage, and improve water quality through a series of five interconnected ponds. The ponds provide an environmental benefit, enhance the beauty of the complex, enable positive drainage across a very flat site, and reduce the amount of imported fill.
Benesch provided master planning, construction documents, bidding, and construction administration for this award winning regional tournament level sports complex. The development program included an adult softball complex, baseball field, little league complex and training facility, football fields, soccer fields, playground, walking trails, maintenance facility, and restroom/concession facilities.