Asheboro mayor David Smith speaks during the grand opening of Zoo City Sportsplex. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)
Cone Health offers support in 25-year sponsorship
ASHEBORO – The City of Asheboro has partnered with Cone Health to the tune of a $5 million arrangement associated with the Zoo City Sportsplex.
Cone Health is the exclusive health care partner of the project, which was undertaken with city funding along with support from community groups. It’s a 25-year deal with sponsorship at $5 million.
The Cone Health logo was unveiled on sportsplex signage during Saturday’s grand opening and ribbon cutting. The logo will be included on the Zoo City Sportsplex website as well.
“Developing a love of sports and exercise yields lifelong dividends for a person’s health,” Cone Health president and CEO Dr. Mary Jo Cagle said in a statement. “It just makes sense that Cone Health should be right there with you literally every step of the way.”
The sportsplex has eight playing fields (soccer, football, lacrosse) in addition to beach volleyball and pickleball courts. There are also fitness courts, yoga areas, a playground and walking trails (paved and natural terrain). A dog park is also planned.
David Smith, mayor of Asheboro, said the partnership with Cone Health should create strong support for youth and adult sports for years.
“I want everyone to know the tremendous support that we received to build a first-class facility,” Smith said. “This is a day to celebrate and thank everyone who made it possible.”
Government officials and community members gathered under a pavilion to shield from rain during Saturday’s ceremony.
While the formal ribbon cutting took place during the weekend, parts of the facility have been in use since last fall. In February, the city reported that more than 4,000 athletes and visitors were involved in a four-day soccer tournament that included more than 200 games on the grounds.
The sportsplex has been a years-long project that finally came to fruition. A grand opening scheduled for last fall was postponed for more than six months.
The sportsplex is open daily. North Carolina Zoo is several miles away from the sportsplex.
