Wilmington Hammerheads say Encino Sports Park draws tournaments, seek paving funds

Carson Porter, executive director of the Wilmington Hammerheads, told the Wilmington City Council that Encino Sports Park is now a major regional venue and is delivering economic benefits to the city. The park, donated to the city and developed with proceeds from the 2016 parks bond, includes 11 full-size artificial turf fields and several lit fields, Porter said.

Porter said an Elite Clubs National League event drew teams from as far as Chicago and Miami, producing more than 6,000 overnight stays and “north of $3,000,000” in local economic impact over a weekend. He said the park recorded about 165,000 unique visitors in its first year across five sports and that the facility supports hotels, restaurants and small businesses.

Porter described the park’s infrastructure — including an award-winning bathhouse and artificial turf with a 12–15 year life span — as a community asset and urged the city to address the park’s gravel parking area, which he said suffers heavy wear as tournament traffic has exceeded early expectations. He asked council to consider paving the lot to match the facility’s other improvements and to support future ambitions, such as a longer-term sports campus with a gymnasium if private funding becomes available.

Council members thanked Porter for the presentation and encouraged follow-up; no formal action was requested or taken at the meeting.