Township making plans for new Gosling Sports Park

The Woodlands Township is considering a plan to turn 25 acres of land at Gosling Road and Marsco Place into a new sports facility. The Woodlands Development Company recently donated the land to the township.

Chris Nunes, director of parks and recreation for the township, presented a preliminary concept design to the township board of directors during a March 20 meeting. The concept design of the proposed Gosling Sports Park features five fields that could house activities for a variety of field sports, including soccer, lacrosse, rugby, flag football and field hockey, Nunes said.

The facility would also include a 1-mile bike trail, bleachers, restrooms and concession stands.

The cost of the sports facility would range from $4.2 million for five grass fields to $6.8 million for all-weather turf fields, according to township documents. The township recently converted several fields at the Bear Branch Sports Park to all-weather turf fields.

Following a 2008-09 needs assessment on township amenities, it was determined by the township there was an increased need for sports fields in the community. Nunes said there was a need for 15 additional multipurpose fields and nine dugout fields for sports such as baseball and softball.

"Those needs were based on demand and capacity levels of various sports and fields," he said.

The next step is for the project's consultant, LJA Engineering, to complete design and construction drawings and specifications for the bidding process. If the plan is approved, construction on the park could take between nine months and a year.