Auburndale, Florida Polytechnic come to terms, add venues for sports

Florida Polytechnic University continues to make sports progression after the institution’s most recent developments.

>The school and the city of Auburndale have agreed to partner in an effort to provide home venues for the program’s newly launched athletics' program, according to a press release. This arrangement was official thanks to a three-year athletics facilities agreement that was approved by the Auburndale City Commission on Monday, July 20.

>And thanks to the partnership, Florida Poly is slated to host practices, home games as well as special events for several sports at Lake Myrtle Sports Complex, Auburndale Softball Complex and the Auburndale Community Center.

>This timely agreement comes at the perfect time, as Florida Poly’s soccer teams are set to start their inaugural seasons in August, which makes these squads the first to call the facilities home.

>“We are absolutely thrilled to establish home venues for our athletes as we launch our athletics program, “Derek Lower, the university’s athletic director, said in an official press release. “Our soccer teams are hitting the field in just a few weeks, and having access to quality facilities and dedicated locker room space gives our players a true home environment from day one."

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>Additionally, the Auburndale Community Center will host men’s and women’s basketball practices, while the Auburndale Softball Complex will have softball practices. The expansive Lake Myrtle Sports Complex will be the main venue for baseball and men's and women's soccer practices as well as home games. What’s more, the site also will host men’s and women’s cross-country practices.

>“This partnership creates an important foundation for student life as we launch Florida Poly Athletics,” Bryan Brooks, the University’s vice president of student affairs, enrollment management and strategic communications, said. “Working directly with Auburndale will help us build a vibrant athletics culture that benefits our students and strengthens connections throughout our region.”

>Florida Poly teams will in fact receive priority scheduling and facility access which includes access to locker rooms at the Lake Myrtle soccer stadium and pregame field access.

>And last but not least, the arrangement also provides athletics storage space and game-day amenities that will support the university’s growing sports programs.

>This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Auburndale, Florida Polytechnic come to terms, add venues for sports