{"id":72681,"date":"2025-12-05T17:32:07","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T17:32:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/72681\/"},"modified":"2025-12-05T17:32:07","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T17:32:07","slug":"charlie-and-tonya-ward-host-groundbreaking-for-the-champions-ranch-tallahassee-reports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/72681\/","title":{"rendered":"Charlie and Tonya Ward Host Groundbreaking for the Champions Ranch \u2013 Tallahassee Reports"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Ground-breaking for the first phase of Charlie and Tonja Ward\u2019s Champions Ranch in south Tallahassee took place on Monday, Dec. 1. The Ranch is a one stop shop for athletics, education, wellness, performing arts and life skills, and the goal is to cultivate lifelong champions.<\/p>\n

The Marching 100 from Florida A&M University \u2013 where Charlie Ward is now the head basketball coach \u2013 got the ceremony off to a festive start.<\/p>\n

Also, in attendance were elected officials, which included Florida Rep. Allison Tant, Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey and Leon County Commissioners Christian Caban and Carolyn Cummings.<\/p>\n

Ward\u2019s wife Tonja welcomed the crowd, which numbered in the hundreds.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are excited about breaking ground on the first multi-sport field for the Charlie Ward Champions Ranch and the Champions Cafe, powered by Centennial Bank\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlie Ward said it\u2019s not only the large corporate donors, but the many small contributions that have so far helped raised more than $9 million for the ranch.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd to our small group friends and mentors and the people who believed in this dream at every stage, you laid the foundation for today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ward stated that the immediate goal is to reach $11 million by the end of the year which will allow for the phase1 construction to begin. Phase 1 includes the 93,000 square-foot multi-sport field and Champions Cafe.<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably this time next year, we should be cutting a ribbon and having kids come out to play,\u201d Ward said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce complete, the state-of-the art sport and recreational complex with components including recreation fields and courts, gymnasiums, golf activities, meetings\/conference rooms, event space, cafes, training facilities, a retreat center and lodging. The facility will also include passive recreation such as parks and walking trails and open space. The plan is for the project to be fully built out in 10 to 15 years, with phases 1 and 2 completed within the next five years.<\/p>\n

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