Major Field Renovation Underway at Bill Lips Sports Complex

Cooper City has officially begun a comprehensive renovation of the multipurpose fields at Bill Lips Sports Complex, marking a significant investment in the long-term quality, safety, and sustainability of this heavily used recreational facility.

The upgrades, now underway, include a complete overhaul of the existing irrigation infrastructure and a full re-sodding of the multipurpose athletic fields. These improvements will address long-standing issues with turf durability, water management, and field drainage.

On February 11, 2025, the City Commission approved a piggyback agreement with Juniper Landscaping of Florida, LLC for $44,453.03 through the City of Weston’s existing Parks Maintenance Services contract. The current irrigation system at Bill Lips Sports Complex lacks the volume and efficiency needed for modern athletic fields. Renovating this infrastructure will provide high-volume output capability, critical for maintaining consistent turf quality and ensuring player safety. Funding for this portion of the project was allocated via a Fiscal Year 2025 budget amendment approved in January.

Further advancing the project, on April 8, 2025, the City Commission approved multiple agreements totaling $324,421 to renovate the fields' playing surface. This includes $252,000 to Juniper Landscaping for the preparation and installation of 135,000 square feet of sod, $67,421 to Golf Agronomics and Supplies for field fill, and $5,000 to SiteOne for pre-dressing. Due to the high traffic and age of the facility, the fields had experienced crown deterioration—an essential component of field drainage. This is the first time the park has undergone a full re-crowning and sod replacement since its inception.

The City carefully evaluated sod options and vendors, ultimately determining that Juniper Landscaping's pricing and services, offered through the Weston contract, were the most advantageous. After exploring other municipal contracts and visiting sod farms, staff selected Celebration Bermuda Sod for its performance and year-round quality—opting against Bimini Bermuda due to winter discoloration.

This project is funded through the City's Capital Improvement Program budget. The Fiscal Year 2025 allocation for Bill Lips Sports Complex Improvements stands at $644,886.20, which includes a rollover from the prior year. With approvals for both irrigation and turf enhancements, the City is making a strategic investment to ensure that the Complex continues to serve as a high-quality venue for athletics and community recreation.