Rockbridge County board directs staff to pursue $14.5M financing for joint athletic center and turf field
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Summary
After public concern about debt and safety, the board voted unanimously Nov. 10 to pursue Davenport & Company’s recommended financing (borrow ~$14.5M, use $4.0M in reserves), authorize detailed design and begin turf procurement for a joint school/community athletic center.
The Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Nov. 10 to direct staff to pursue the county’s recommended financing scenario for a proposed joint athletic center and a turf field and to authorize the school division to begin detailed design work and procurement.
Administrator Spencer Suter summarized the schools’ request and the consultant work behind the proposal, saying Spectrum Design estimated an athletic center at about $12,769,488 and a turf field at about $1,250,000. He said Davenport & Company reviewed funding options and recommended borrowing roughly $14.5 million while using $4.0 million from county reserves to seed a debt‑service fund (“option 2”). Suter told the board the combined request would displace about $9.7 million of projects from the school division’s FY27 capital improvement plan and that an additional $1.5 million would be needed in FY27 to replace three tennis courts the project would remove.
Supporters on the board highlighted security design, regional recreation benefits and potential economic development from hosting tournaments. An unnamed board member who moved the motion said security features and a separation between student and community spaces were integral to the design and proposed working with VDOT to improve lighting and a crossing on Greenhouse Road.
Public commenters urged caution. Steve Hart of Cars Creek warned of the county’s existing debt, saying, “$87,000,000 is what we currently owe” and that borrowing would increase total debt to “$111,000,000” and cost approximately “$8,800,000” in interest over the life of the loan. Heather Davis (Walker Creek District) questioned safety for students who would have to cross a highway to get to the building and asked that outstanding security and parking questions be addressed before approval. Tripp Almey (Pars Creek) said many residents had not been notified and suggested referendum or phased development; Tim Goodbar (Cars Creek District) said he worried taxes would rise for residents on fixed incomes.
Superintendent Dr. Thompson said the need for gym and community space has been discussed since Rockbridge County High School was built and that current arrangements require students to travel across the county for practices. “There is a huge need, for schools, for community, for gym space,” he said.
After discussion, the board voted to pursue Davenport’s option 2 financing, authorize detailed design services for the athletic center, begin the process to secure a contractor for the turf field and add $1.5 million to the FY27 CIP to address displaced tennis courts. The motion passed on a unanimous roll call vote.
Next steps include work with the school division on detailed design, continued consultation with Davenport & Company on financing terms, coordination with VDOT on lighting and crossings, and scheduling required procurement steps for design and construction services.
