City presents Citizens Field renovation options; school board directs superintendent to explore transfer

City of Gainesville staff and consultants presented a year-long feasibility effort and two concept site plans for the Northeast Complex — including Citizens Field stadium, DH Hunter pool and adjacent recreational facilities — at the March 12 Alachua County School Board meeting.

City Manager Cynthia Curry and NV5 landscape architect Laurie Hall described community engagement and two conceptual approaches: a full new stadium and pool, or a renovated stadium with a new pool. NV5 and city staff emphasized the site's long community use but said the stadium and pool are at the end of their service lives.

Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) facilities director Suzanne Winn summarized the district's constraints and options. Because Citizens Field is city-owned, the district generally cannot spend its capital or general funds on property it does not own. Winn outlined temporary solutions (pairing schools to share stadiums or building temporary 3,000-seat facilities at Eastside and Buchholz/Butuholtz High School) and four longer-term options: renovate Citizens Field (estimated $8 million–$20 million), build a new stadium on the Citizens Field site (up to $35 million), build a new stadium on the Old Terwilliger property (estimated $22 million) or use district-owned Diamond Sports Park (longer timeline due to rural location). She supplied high-level capital estimates and cautioned that costs will change during design.

Board action and vote: Boardmember Miss Surdon moved that the board "direct the superintendent to engage with the city manager and appropriate city staff to develop a plan for transfer of Citizens Field to the school board. The plan may include payment or an exchange of another parcel of land as consideration for the transfer. The superintendent can then report back to the board with findings and recommendations for proposed agreement for review and approval." Dr. McNeely seconded. The motion carried 3–1, with Mr. Vu voting no.

Costs and short-term options discussed: Suzanne Winn said temporary stadium construction would run roughly $2.6 million–$3.2 million per site for two temporary sites (Eastside and Buchholz), with a higher permanent-build estimate near $14.5 million per site if full permanent facilities were constructed. A district-wide pairing approach — having some high schools share stadiums to avoid two temporary stadiums — was estimated at about $6.4 million total. Renovation-versus-new-stadium estimates presented by staff ranged from $8 million up to $35 million depending on scope and site.

Board and community concerns: Several board members emphasized that the district cannot use capital funds on another entity's property, which reduces the district's ability to finance a city-owned rebuild. Board members pressed city staff for clarity about the specific financial ask; city staff said they were seeking a partnership and discussion of possible cost-sharing. Community speakers urged keeping the stadium in East Gainesville because of its local history and access; citizen Bridget Johnson said renovating Citizens Field would support East Side economic development.

Next steps: The superintendent and city manager were authorized to discuss terms and report back with a proposed plan. City and district staff will continue technical analysis, cost estimating, and consider options such as a land transfer, partial parcel conveyance, or alternative district-owned sites. Board members noted timeline and funding questions remain, and temporary site arrangements will be required for the 2026 season if no agreement is reached.