'God's timing': Construction set for Charlie Ward Champions Ranch
The first step to the multi-phased Champions Ranch took place with a ground-breaking ceremony that kicked off the legacy project.
Approximately 200 people gathered at the site, just off Capital Circle Southeast near Woodville Highway. Florida A&M's Marching 100 Band greeted guests with rousing songs and a jolly Santa Claus joined in and added to the festivities.
The Christian-focused project is the brainchild of Florida State Heisman Trophy Winner and retired NBA star Charlie Ward, who's now FAMU's Head Men's Basketball Coach , and his wife, Tonja Ward — both cofounders of the Ward Family Foundation.
Tonja Ward said the moment was surreal, adding the couple has been committed to going through the process and accepting any negative responses or challenges as just "redirection from God."
She said the project has come down to "trusting God's timing," adding that the right mix of partners and supporters brought it to this point.
Once complete, it will house several structures on its 112 acres and features that aren't currently available in the capital city to this scale. The long-game projection is to be done within 10 to 15 years to be fully built out, said Ward, adding Phases 1 and 2 could be complete within the next five years.
"It's ambitious, but we've got ambitious faith," Ward said.
Last year, when the Wards spoke before a captive audience at the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce Conference about the project, the estimated cost was slated to be around $30 million for the first two phases; Phase 1 was projected to be complete by late 2025. The projected price tag has increased to $55 million for Phases 1 and 2, Ward said.
"The price fluctuates. We get 5 to 8 percent with inflation and just with things changing in terms of code or whatever," Ward said. "The quicker we raise (money), we stay closer to that budget. The longer it takes, it could end up being $60 to $65 million."
The Ward Foundation, which supports youth character development through education, the arts, wellness, and sports that includes a basketball clinic in Tallahassee and Thomasville, Ga., has raised approximately $9.3 million as of Dec. 1 to support Phase 1.
The goal is to reach $11 million by the end of the year. Phase 1 includes the 93,000 square-foot multi-sport field and Champions Cafe. Construction is slated to begin in early February and be complete within a year.
"Probably this time next year, we should be cutting a ribbon and having kids come out to play," Ward said.
The next fundraising push will be for the 50,000 square-foot indoor multi-disciplinary turf barn as part of Phase 1, which doesn't have a projected construction start at this time. Phase II will be a 100,000 square-foot indoor multi-disciplinary court barn, which will include basketball, volleyball and pickleball courts.
The Wards have assembled a powerhouse of partners, donors and supports to see the vision come to life.
"Tallahassee needs this," said Beth Langford, Champions Ranch Capital Campaign Board member, who's a member of Florida State University's Hall of Fame and has supported the school's academic and athletic programs with her husband, Lawton Langford, a former Seminole Booster Chairman in 1994.
"The Champions Ranch is happening. So let's do this again, in about 18 months, and witness the thousands of children, and youth we're serving, the sports, and the teens, we're enhancing, and the program," she said.
Elected officials, including Florida Rep. Allison Tant, Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey and Leon County Commissioners Christian Caban and Carolyn Cummings praised the project for its potential impact and stated it would be a regional attraction for the capital city. FAMU President Marva Johnson also attended.
"It's the beginning of a vision coming to life, a vision that will expand opportunity, strengthen families, and save the futures of our youth across Leon County," Caban said. "It's going to be a refuge, a launching pad, a place that just doesn't build athletes, but builds character, confidence, and opportunity."
Help support the project and build a new facility for the Boys & Girls Club
Champions Ranch will partner with over 30 trusted organizations such as AAU, FCA, Challenger Learning Center and the Boys & Girls Club as well as strategic allies including churches, FSU, FAMU, Tallahassee State College, Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic, and other regional and national partners.
You can donate directly to the project at championsranch.org .
The Boys & Girls Club is also looking to build a new facility at the Champions Ranch, a groundbreaking space that will serve thousands of young people. The organization launched a $6 million fundraising campaign on Giving Tuesday. Learn more about the project and how to help at https://shorturl.at/44hdg .
"Every child deserves a great future – with a safe place to go and the support to successfully progress through school and graduate with a viable plan," according to the organization's website. "With your support, this is not a possibility, but a certainty."
Contact Economic Development Reporter TaMaryn Waters at tlwaters@tallahassee.com and follow @TaMarynWaters on X.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Charlie and Tonja Ward's Champions Ranch rising in Tallahassee
