New Proposal Revives Possibility of Sports Fields on Santilli Property

A Farmingdale company is drawing up plans for a sports complex along Old Northport Road, reviving hopes for the future of sports in the Kings Park industrial area. 

Kenny Henderson, owner of Prospect Sports, presented early plans to build a sports complex on 46.2 acres it has leased from Kings Park landowner Anthony Santilli between Indian Head Road and Old Northport Road. 

"We have been looking for space for four years...," Henderson said, noting properties in Central Islip and Yaphank that he turned down. "We would like to expand our operations to a full sporting community."  

Henderson said Prospective Sports currently owns and operates sports performance training center and camps on its Farmingdale facility, but would like expand to include an on-site sports surgical center including rehabilitative treatment center and physical therapy. 

Under the precursory plans presented to Kings Park Civic Association on Jan. 9, Prospective Sports said it hopes to build four outdoor, fully lit turf fields that can be lined for a variety of sport teams with an indoor training center as Phase I of the project. 

"We are funded and ready to go, but we need the town's approval," Henderson said. 

Site plans have not yet been submitted to Smithtown Planning Department as of Tuesday, according to town officials. 

Despite the lack of detailed plans, Kings Park community leaders are excited about the project - as similar plans proposed by Santilli have failed in the past. 

"This is something KPCA has been pushing for this kind of redevelopment. It creates a lot of jobs, its good for downtown Kings Park and helps make Kings park a destination point," said Mike Rosato, chairman of the KPCA's Industrial Committee. 

Henderson said he estimated the facility, once fully built, would create roughly 200 full-time jobs and 21

John McQuaid, a representative of Kings Park Youth Association, said the organization is "very excited" about the proposed plans and hopes to see more. 

"We have a hard time getting enough field time, especially after school in the spring when demand is high. We think it will be a great opportunity for the kids," McQuaid said. 

Some residents neighboring the project raised concerns about traffic given projected expectations of 500 cars a week, according to Henderson. Sewage capacities in the area could also pose a hurdle for the developers. 

"If we have to build a sewage treatment plant, it will break the project,"Henderson said. 

He expected full site plans and applications to be filed with Smithtown Planning Department this week. 

Clarification: When this article was first published, it was noted Prospective Sports would be seeking a zoning change from the Town of Smithtown. It will not be a zoning change, but would be classified as a commercial recreation which is a sub-category under light industrial.