Florida Polytechnic University and the City of Auburndale signed a three-year athletic facilities agreement, establishing a solid home base for Florida Poly’s brand-new intercollegiate sports program.
As Florida Poly launches varsity athletics this fall in the NAIA’s Sun Conference, the partnership gives the Phoenix immediate access to established regional facilities.
📍 Facilities Breakdown
The agreement covers three major Auburndale locations to host Florida Poly’s eight varsity sports:
| Location | Purpose / Sports Hosted | Notes |
| Lake Myrtle Sports Complex | Baseball, Men’s & Women’s Soccer, Cross Country | • Primary home for matches and practices • Men’s soccer hosts the university’s inaugural home match here on August 13 vs. Thomas University • Includes dedicated soccer stadium locker rooms and pregame field access |
| Auburndale Community Center | Men’s & Women’s Basketball | • Dedicated practice facility • (Home games will be hosted at Polk State College in Winter Haven) |
| Auburndale Softball Complex | Women’s Softball | • Dedicated practice facility • (Home games will also be hosted at Polk State College) |
🤝 Key Terms & Highlights
- Duration & Fees: Approved by the Auburndale City Commission, the agreement spans 3 years (with an option for a 2-year extension). Florida Poly will pay an annual fee of $50,000 for scheduled usage, storage, and priority access.
- Priority Access: Student-athletes receive priority scheduling, pregame field access, dedicated locker room space at Lake Myrtle, and equipment storage.
- Convenient Proximity: All three venues sit between 10 to 20 minutes from Florida Poly’s Lakeland campus.
- Student Impact: The move to NAIA competition is expected to bring around 150 student-athletes to campus annually, bolstering student life and regional community engagement.
“Having access to quality facilities and dedicated locker room space gives our players a true home environment from day one.”
— Derek Lower, Florida Poly Athletic Director
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