A boost for Booster
School Board advances planning for stadium revitalization.
Architect’s rendering of the proposed façade renovation of Booster Stadium. [Image courtesy Marion County Public Schools]
During its May 21 work session, the Marion County School Board reached a consensus to proceed with planning an ambitious revitalization of Booster Stadium, directing staff to draft interlocal agreements and outline a capital campaign. While the board enthusiastically supported the vision, they stopped short of formally approving the estimated $25 million expenditure, tasking staff with doing more homework to narrow down construction costs and bond amounts before a final presentation in July.
A half-century of history
Booster Stadium is more than 50 years old, originating in the 1960s when local athletic teams relocated from a site known as Webb Field. It was named Booster Stadium because the initial construction funds were collaboratively raised by the athletic boosters from both Vanguard High School and Forest High School. Today, it serves as the home field for Vanguard High School, which remains the only high school in the district without a dedicated on-campus stadium. Despite its long tenure, very little improvement has been made to the facility over the past five decades.
Proposed upgrades, funding and timeline
The proposed overhaul aims to transform the aging facility into a world-class venue featuring an artificial turf field, synthetic track, new locker rooms, modernized concession facilities and an 8,000-seat capacity.
Marion County Public Schools Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction Ben Whitehouse detailed the proposed funding strategy to the board, noting the goal is to “fund $20 (million) of the $25 million through a bond through certificate of participation and then allow us to be able to start a capital campaign to try and generate the other $5 million.”
If the final costs and bonds are approved later this summer, Whitehouse noted the timeline would “start that capital campaign in the fall with the target of trying to raise all of those funds by next summer while we’re doing the design concept… and then be able to hopefully get started on the construction for the following school year.”
Board member Nancy Thrower highlighted the importance of locking in the district’s financial commitment, stating that confirming the $20 million bond availability is “what’s going to inspire people to come up with the other $5 million.”
Naming rights, capital campaign and interlocal agreement
Preparing for a $5 million community capital campaign prompted the board to review its policies on naming rights and donor recognition. Board member Allison Campbell emphasized the need for clear guidelines and board oversight putting dollar amounts to naming opportunities.
“I just want to ensure we have all of that hashed out, and knowing before you get your name on something there that this board gets to weigh in a bit on what that looks like,” she said.
Campbell also said, “While I am not ever a big fan of taking out another loan to do something like this… I am in favor of doing something like this because it is revenue generating for generations to come and that makes a ton of sense to me.”
“Some things are really worth waiting for. The timing has to be right, the funding resources have to be available, the community’s appetite needs to be, you know, wet for it, and I truly believe that we’re in the sweet spot finally, so this is really exciting,” Thrower stated.
A defining factor for the board’s ultimate approval of the project is ensuring the stadium operates as a broader community resource, not just a high school venue. To achieve this, staff will begin working with the city of Ocala or Marion County on a shared use interlocal agreement.
Board chair Sarah James made it clear that her final vote hinges on this community access.
“My yes to a new Booster Stadium comes only if it is a facility available to the community that means that we have agreement with the city of Ocala and we have some level of someone else managing opening a facility at 5 a.m.,” James stated.
Booster Stadium. [Image courtesy Marion County Public Schools]
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