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FC Delco offers to fund new turf fields at Coatesville High School; board asks for more stakeholder details
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Summary
FC Delco proposed fully funding construction of turf fields at Coatesville High School and sharing use with the district; board members pressed organizers to address track/throwing‑area impacts, scheduling, parking, equity for underserved groups and legal/contractual protections before moving to design and legal review.
FC Delco representatives told the Coatesville Area School District operations committee on Nov. 11 that the nonprofit would fully fund construction of multiple turf fields at Coatesville High School, with a plan for shared school and community use. "We're a 501(c)(3) nonprofit…we're looking to build several turf soccer fields at the Coatesville High School," Rob Elliott said, describing a proposal of three new 11‑aside turf fields (with a fourth field as a possible phase 2), improved lighting and storage and an intent to host weeknight practices and weekend tournaments.
Elliott and Pye Garcia said FC Delco would fund the fields and seek to recoup costs through tournaments and rentals while providing scholarship assistance to lower financial barriers. The presenters highlighted community connections, including a long‑running program with the JT Dorsey Foundation, and said FC Delco has provided over $800,000 in scholarship aid across its club over recent years.
Board members and community participants asked detailed questions about sports scheduling, the effect on baseball, softball and track and field (particularly javelin and throwing areas), stormwater and drainage concerns for turf installation, parking and the fate of longstanding community programs such as the Kid Raiders. District staff and the club said the initial plan would try to avoid displacing throwing areas in phase 1 and that architects and engineers would study drainage, fencing and field layout before moving forward.
Multiple board members said they supported advancing to the next planning phase but emphasized that any agreement must include clear terms on maintenance, insurance, usage priority for school teams, protections for existing community users, and contractual remedies if FC Delco ends the partnership early. The committee directed staff to work with FC Delco and the district solicitor to draft a preliminary agreement for an informational presentation at the board’s November meeting and potential consideration in January, with a less ambitious timeline aiming at January committee and January 27 full‑board review if needed.
Public comment included coaches, booster‑club representatives, band parents and residents who mostly supported the idea but urged careful attention to access for underserved youth, parking, and preserving track events. The committee’s next step is a draft agreement to be circulated to board members for review.
