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Escambia County TDC approves $2 million toward UWF football stadium
Summary
The Tourist Development Council voted unanimously April 15 to award $2 million in bed-tax funds to the University of West Florida for a proposed multiuse stadium, part of a $45 million project the university says will boost room nights and event hosting capacity.
The Escambia County Tourist Development Council on April 15 approved a $2,000,000 grant to the University of West Florida for construction of a multiuse on‑campus football stadium.
UWF officials told the council the stadium budget is about $45 million and the university is asking the TDC for roughly 4% of that total to support construction and marketing. "The stadium budget is approximately 45,000,000, which is 25,000,000 of an internal institutional loan, $10,000,000 private gift, and $10,000,000 of fundraising," UWF athletics director Dave Scott said during the presentation.
The project, the university said, would expand current temporary seating to an initial 7,500 seats with room to grow, add a visitor/wayfinding center and video board opportunities for Visit Pensacola advertising, and create facilities for band competitions, concerts and high‑school events. UWF submitted economic impact estimates and a room‑night projection prepared by its consultants: the university presented a five‑year football program economic impact figure and told the council the stadium would help generate more than 10,000 room nights annually from football alone.
Why it matters: The council uses Tourist Development Tax (TDT) funds—taxes collected on short‑term accommodations—to support activities shown to drive heads‑in‑beds. UWF argued the stadium would attract visiting teams, alumni and tournament traffic that increases overnight stays and bed‑tax receipts.
Debate and decision: Council members and representatives from Pensacola hotels pressed UWF on documentation of room nights and on the university’s fundraising plan. UWF officials said the university will contribute $25 million via an internal loan, has a $10 million private gift pledged and is pursuing additional fundraising to reach the estimated cost. After discussion the council voted to approve the $2,000,000 allocation; Danielle called the roll and each present member voted yes.
The council also discussed how to source the approved funds: staff indicated the award could be taken from TDT reserves and that the county would later determine the specific penny(s) of TDT to use. Councilman James Reeves moved the original approval; the council then directed staff to identify the funding source.
What’s next: UWF will continue the fundraising and construction planning process. The TDC award is an appropriation recommendation; county finance staff will finalize the funding mechanism and the Board of County Commissioners must include the award in its appropriations.
Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the stadium item at the April 15 meeting: Dr. Martha Saunders (UWF president), Dave Scott (UWF athletics director), Howard Reddy (VP, University Advancement), Jeffrey Jurlick (UWF controller), former UWF president Judy Bence and community supporters who spoke in favor of the request.
Ending: The council placed the $2 million appropriation on record at the April meeting and asked staff to report back on the final funding source prior to issuing funds.
