Booster Stadium renovation proposed as donor-driven project; board weighs scale, CDL site impacts and regional revenue potential

Marion County School District staff and community volunteers presented a conceptual plan on Sept. 18 to renovate Booster Stadium in Ocala into a larger, multi-use venue — a project proponents said could be largely donor funded but would require district capital and operational planning.

Why it matters: The stadium, purchased by the school district in 1973 and used by both Vanguard and Forest High Schools, is the district’s largest off‑campus athletic venue. Board discussion focused on cost, donor interest, the stadium’s current condition and implications for existing career‑technical programs on the site.

What was proposed - Facility concept: Conceptual renderings showed a multi‑level entrance/press box building with space for offices, conference rooms and a top-floor press box; under‑bleacher space would house expanded restrooms, concessions, locker rooms and storage. Presenters described 10,000‑seat concrete bleachers in the most expansive rendering and said alternate options (steel bleachers, smaller capacity) could cut cost. - Playing surface and track: The concept included an artificial turf playing surface and the option of a synthetic track. Presenters noted that adding a full track complicates FHSAA-level hosting because discus and javelin require ancillary space; a full championship‑grade track may be infeasible without additional land. - Parking, roads and drainage: Discussions included preserving much of the existing front parking to avoid large retention ponds and improving on‑site roadways that currently suffer washouts after storms.

Costs, funding strategy and community support Presenters said concrete bleachers are estimated at roughly $1,000 per seat in concept-level pricing (making a 5,000‑seat side about $5 million), and noted that complete build-outs could push total costs well beyond $20 million when buildings and site work are included. The presentation recommended a donor-driven fundraising model and community sponsorships to offset large capital costs. Presenters referenced The Villages’ facility as an example of a revenue-generating venue and said some community groups and construction donors had already contributed planning work.

CDL program and site constraints District and Marion Technical College representatives described the current CDL campus infrastructure behind the stadium. Several presenters cautioned that moving or reconfiguring the CDL facility would add expense and complexity; others said the stadium could be shifted back on the site with approximately 50–60 feet of displacement and that the CDL facilities could be relocated on district assets with additional planning and cost.

Board questions and next steps Board members asked whether a 10,000‑seat capacity was necessary and requested a reduced-cost rendering (steel bleachers, smaller capacity) and more financial modeling. Board members also recommended early coordination with tourism and community partners to explore grant and sponsorship opportunities; staff said they would meet with local stakeholders and could present revised conceptual renderings and a phased plan with cost estimates.

Ending: District staff said they will refine the design options and fundraising approach, and the board expressed general support for continuing studies and community fundraising while noting the need to protect prior publicly funded investments on the CDL site.