Crockett Park Indoor Arena Is Boon to Soccer Players
On any given Saturday, no less than 6,000 Williamson County children are pulling up their shin guards and lacing their cleats on soccer fields throughout Brentwood and Franklin.
That adds up to a lot of soccer balls being kicked around the fields.
Even with the Williamson County Soccer Association Complex’s 25 outdoor fields and the Franklin Indoor Arena, the need for another facility was evident.
In March 2007, Brentwood’s 28,000-square-foot, brick Indoor Arena at Crockett Park opened to the public.
“It was completely out of necessity to build this arena,” says Kerri Hudson, public information coordinator for the Williamson County Parks & Recreation Department. “The Franklin one was overcrowded and, with Brentwood’s large soccer contingency, we needed a year-round venue for programming and games.”
So far, the facility has more than met the expectations of soccer players and coaches.
“We’ve been very happy with the end product, from the facility itself to the staff,” says Todd Lockhart, president of the Brentwood Soccer Club, one of the primary select-level leagues utilizing the arena. “It takes great management to cater to the huge number of youth soccer participants from the rec level to the select level, and Williamson County has done just that.”
The arena’s regulation-size, artificial turf field will not only serve as a competitive setting for adult and children’s soccer leagues, but also for lacrosse and flag football clubs.
In addition, the facility contains a programming room suitable for birthday parties or league meetings, restrooms and concession stands.
According to Doug Hood, director of the Williamson County Parks & Recreation Department, the arena is beyond popular.
“Every night, there’s something going on,” Hood says. “As soon as the fall leagues wrap up, we go straight into the indoor winter league season.”
The Brentwood arena was financed with $1.5 million from the city of Brentwood and $1.5 million from Williamson County. Brentwood donated the land and the water, gas and sewer lines‚ and the county takes care of the arena’s day-to-day maintenance.
“There’s a great partnership between Brentwood and the county that is very pro-family and community-oriented,” Hood says. “Both are fully aware of the need to provide services for the community. We treat facilities like the indoor arena not as an amenity but as a need. If there is a demand for facilities that can be used throughout the community, we make sure we can find funding to ensure they are built.”
