A venture that ESPN analyst and basketball commentator Steffi Sorensen has described as her lifelong dream is moving closer to the finish line.
Sorensen, a St. Johns County native who played at the University of Florida and one year professionally in France before beginning her TV career as an analyst on ESPN3, is planning Dark Horse, a health and wellness facility designed to bring fitness, recovery and performance training under one roof.
The St. Johns County Planning and Zoning Agency unanimously recommended approval Oct. 16 despite concerns from neighbors who cited potential noise, lighting and environmental impacts.
According to project plans, Dark Horse is planned as a 21,000-square-foot fitness center featuring a 12,250-square-foot covered turf field building, sports performance areas and recovery and wellness programs on about 11.1 acres.
The site is on the north side of Greenbriar Road, east of Florida 13 North and about 1.2 miles west of Longleaf Pine Parkway and the Shoppes of Rivertown.
“Do I want this project to succeed? One hundred percent. Do I want it to succeed in this area where it’s proposed? Absolutely not,” said Jeff Edwards, who lives in nearby Kendall Creek. “You have the opportunity for the community to stand behind the Sorensens in moving this project forward, just not in the area that is proposed. It’s not the appropriate area.”
Committee members disagreed, calling Dark Horse an asset for the county.
“There is a huge need, and it’s something that’s been discussed by the county commissioners. The kids have nowhere to practice,” committee member Judy Spiegel said. “Even though it will be a private facility, I think it will open up other opportunities.”
“I’m trying to stay in shape,” member Henry Green said. “I want to go.”
Sorensen said she was relieved with the outcome and looks forward to next steps. The vote came after plan revisions that included dimming lighting in the parking lot and enclosing a turf field to address noise concerns.
“Taking feedback from the community and meeting them where they are was important in hindsight so they didn’t have to worry,” she said. “There are still things we can learn, but I think we are moving in the right direction.”
The St. Johns River Water Management District began reviewing an environmental resource permit for the project Oct. 9. The full St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners is expected to discuss and possibly vote on the project Nov. 18.