Staff Report
Thanks to a $10,000 donation from Newland Communities, the FishHawk Sports Complex is now outfitted with a new lightning detection system. With Florida being the number one state for lightning-related deaths, the system adds a layer of protection to keep young athletes safe while they’re playing on the complex’s fields.
FishHawk Ranch is owned in a joint venture partnership between North America Sekisui House, LLC (NASH), the U.S. business unit and full subsidiary of Sekisu House, LTD., Japan’s largest homebuilder and leading diversified developer and Newland Real Estate Group, LLC, whose development business, Newland Communities, is the master developer of the community. It is one of more than 30 communities the NASH-Newland partnership owns together in 11 states across the United States.
“Lightning strikes are a great concern for our area, so we’re thrilled to offer a higher level of safety to our players and everyone else who participates in events at the park,” said Scott Powers, president of the FishHawk Youth Sports Association. “We couldn’t have done this without Newland Communities, who has been one of our biggest supporters.”
Newland Communities contributed $10,000 toward the $12,000 system and the FishHawk Sports Complex also received support from AutoNation Nissan Brandon, Formaggio’s and other league and park sponsors.
Additionally, the detection system’s coverage area not only includes the sports complex, but also adjacent Newsome High School and Randall Middle School, extending even greater safety benefits to the community.
“The FishHawk Sports Complex is an integral part of our community and we were happy to be a part of this enhancement,” said Pam Parisi, marketing director for Newland Communities.
The system works by sounding a horn on the fields, which signals that lightning has struck at a dangerously close location and warns the public to go inside. When the threat has passed, the horn will sound one more time to signal it is safe to resume normal activity.
For more information about the FishHawk Youth Sports Association, visit www.fishhawkyouthsports association.org.
