By Ken Jackson
Sports Writer

The city of Kissimmee Parks and Recreation Department’s Fortune Road Athletic Complex has been honored as the United States Specialty Sports Association’s 2010 Complex of the Year.

The complex, opened in 2006 and located at 2500 Fortune Road, encompasses nearly 40 acres. It hosts numerous state and national softball tournaments and other association-sanctioned events, as well as a variety of activities including summer camps, soccer practice and fire and police field training. And this is all when it isn’t hosting the city’s recreation leagues for softball.

The complex also recently added a multipurpose turf field with lights that will host soccer games and, this spring, the city’s flag football league, which has had to share time and space at Osceola High School since its formation.

The complex will be featured as the annual award winner at the association’s Hall of Fame, located within its national headquarters at Osceola Heritage Park.

The complex has become a great partner with the organization, association Executive Director Don DeDonatis said.

“Anytime we have asked to use their facility for whatever tournament, project, test, photo shoot or practice they have made it happen,” he said. “We have conducted numerous bat and ball testing sessions for various manufacturers there as well.

“This facility’s four immaculately maintained fields are second to none as far as playing conditions are concerned. They have a staff that is always there to offer assistance and make teams feel welcome and comfortable, while they play for USSSA and they have become great friends,” he added.

Rick Robertson, the association’s umpire-in-chief, said that Fortune Road beat out hundreds of other athletic facilities the amateur sports group uses throughout the country.

“They’ve become a great partner with us, and the fields are supremely maintained, they’re second to none,” he said. “The folks there are great to work with, and it helps that it’s conveniently located, near our headquarters and the airport.”

Parks and Recreation Department Athletic Secretary Allison Jalil said the honor is a direct reflection on a staff dedicated to presenting top-notch facilities.

“It helps that we now have a department full of people who are passionate about sports,” she said. “Our softball coordinator played professional baseball. We get compliments nationally about our grounds.”

The complex has served as the backdrop for photo shoots that included Team USA Softball players Brett Helmer and Jennie Finch.