Proposed Infrastructure Investment Will Transform Existing Athletic Fields, Enhance Campus Facilities and Create New Opportunities for Students and Young Athletes Across Broward County
Fort Lauderdale United FC and Broward College are advancing plans for a strategic collaboration aimed at improving existing athletic facilities, expanding access to youth sports programming and strengthening the connection between two organizations committed to serving the Broward County community.
The proposed partnership represents a significant commitment by Fort Lauderdale United FC to support the improvement of Broward College’s athletic infrastructure while creating additional opportunities for the club to expand its growing youth sports initiatives.
At the center of the collaboration is an estimated $350,000 investment in planned capital improvements to Broward College’s Central Campus athletic facilities. The proposed project would transform existing baseball fields and adjacent outdoor spaces into revitalized, multipurpose athletic fields capable of supporting soccer programming, recreational activities and community events.
Planned improvements include the re-grassing and conversion of existing playing surfaces for soccer use, upgrades to irrigation systems, restoration of field lighting and removal of outdated equipment and debris. Additional improvements are proposed for adjacent athletic areas, with supporting infrastructure upgrades intended to enhance the overall functionality and accessibility of the facilities.
The revitalized spaces would serve a dual purpose, supporting Broward College students and intramural programming while providing Fort Lauderdale United FC with additional facilities for club activities, youth development programs, training and community engagement. Broward College students would retain first priority for facility use, with additional programming coordinated through the College.
“This is about much more than improving athletic fields. It’s about investing in the future of Broward County,” said Tommy Smith, Chairman and Founder of Fort Lauderdale United FC. “We’re building a professional athletic organization with deep roots in this community, and that responsibility extends well beyond what happens on the field on matchday. Working alongside Broward College gives us an opportunity to bring new life to existing facilities, create more places for young athletes to develop and build something that can benefit local families and students for years to come.”
The proposed agreement would also provide Fort Lauderdale United FC with coordinated access to additional Central Campus infrastructure, including existing gymnasium facilities and adjacent athletic areas. These resources could help accommodate the continued expansion of the club’s youth development programming, clinics, training opportunities and other sports-related activities.
For Broward College, the collaboration offers an opportunity to enhance existing campus resources through private investment while strengthening recreational opportunities and supporting student engagement.
“Soccer has a bright future in Broward County, and Broward College is excited to help grow the sport locally through this partnership,” said Terry Mularkey, Vice President, Institutional Advancement and CEO, Broward College Foundation.
Beyond the initial improvements at Central Campus, Fort Lauderdale United FC and Broward College also intend to explore opportunities involving athletic infrastructure at the College’s North and South campuses. These discussions could create additional avenues for youth sports programming and recreational opportunities throughout Broward County.
The proposed collaboration reflects Fort Lauderdale United FC’s broader vision of creating a sustainable soccer organization with a meaningful community presence. Through its professional women’s team, upcoming men’s professional team and expanding youth development initiatives, the club is working to establish opportunities for athletes at multiple levels while growing the sport throughout South Florida.
“We see tremendous potential in what we can build together,” Smith added. “As our club continues to grow, we want that growth to create opportunities throughout Broward County. Whether it’s a young player attending their first clinic, a college student participating in recreational sports or a family discovering the game, these are the connections that make a community stronger.”
The organizations will continue working toward definitive agreements outlining facility improvements, programming opportunities and long-term collaboration.
