Alachua County school board votes against purchasing Citizens Field from Gainesville

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Alachua County school board members voted against purchasing Citizens Field from the city of Gainesville, leaving the future of the decades-old stadium uncertain.

Board members debated for more than an hour before reaching a decision. It took three motions before they approved how to move forward, and even that motion was not unanimous.

Most board members said they do not want to work with the city of Gainesville and do not want the financial burden. According to district documents, a full demolition and rebuild could cost up to $25 million.

Board members raised concerns including not having enough public input and calling the project risky because it is labeled as a brownfield. This means there is known or suspected contamination.

The field is shared by Buchholz, Eastside and Gainesville high schools for athletic events.

Board directs staff to explore alternatives

Board members voted 4-1 with Tina Certain in dissent to direct staff to bring back a presentation of all available options, including three stadium options for each school.

“I think we’re going down a rabbit hole,” Certain said. “I think as a board we’ve been so nervous about looking into spaces and into lanes that aren’t ours. We’re taking about concepts, and plans, and designs when we know Citizens Field works, it’s been working, and I think there’s no reason for it not to work in the future, and I think we’re going to spend more money going forward taking this route.”

School board member Janine Plavac said the board needs to examine all options.

“I think it is responsible for us to be able to really look at everything for the community,” Plavac said. “I just feel like we need to have everything out there for the public. I mean we’ve seen it, but the public really hasn’t seen it, so we work for our constituents so I feel better we are going to go forward.”

School board member expresses disappointment

Certain said she was surprised the proposal failed, saying discussions over the past 18 months indicated there was support to move forward.

“I’m very disappointed that my colleagues did not agree to move forward with this,” Certain said. “In the future people will say all you all ever do is make promises about developing and doing growth over here, and you never do anything.”

Certain said she believes Citizens Field remains the most practical option because it is shared by Buchholz, Eastside and Gainesville high schools. She also said Gainesville High School does not have enough land to build its own stadium.

Athletic director weighs in on stadium options

Billy Pankey, the athletic director at Buchholz High School, says he would like to have their own space to play.

“To be honest, it’d be pretty nice to be able to play at our own home field and have a little pride,” Pankey said. “Show up at our own park and maybe be able to get some resources put into there.”

Pankey said the school is working on backup plans but does not have anything firm.

“If it were my 100% opinion, I would love to have a stadium and resources here that we could play at Buchholz High School every Friday,” Pankey said. “You know, it’s hard. And I understand too, Gainesville High School and Eastside High School have different challenges than Buchholz High School.”

Pankey said he thinks the school could build a stadium with the right resources and parking, but would also support a decision to invest in Citizens Field.

City response and next steps

Gainesville Interim City Manager Andrew Persons said while the ownership transfer will not move forward, the discussions reflected a shared commitment to improving opportunities for local students and families while investing in the future of East Gainesville.

Persons said the city commission will now consider next steps for the property and how it could fit into larger recreation improvements planned for the Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center complex and surrounding area.

The issue was on the city commission agenda. Some school board members fear the city could stop negotiating with the district altogether and move forward with renovations.

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