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Polk County pitches partnership with Florida Southern, Lakeland for 6,000-seat South Lakeland Sports Cluster
Summary
District staff presented a proposal to partner with Florida Southern College and the city of Lakeland on a South Lakeland sports complex featuring a proposed 6,000-seat stadium, classroom/event space and shared scheduling; presenters said Florida Southern would front $6 million and the district would commit funding to the partnership, with written agreements and legal review required.
Mr. Talbot presented a plan to partner with Florida Southern College and the city of Lakeland to create a South Lakeland Sports Cluster at and near Holloway Park, describing a state-of-the-art track facility, multiuse practice field and a proposed 6,000-seat stadium with locker rooms, concessions and classroom/event space.
"We're looking at a 6,000 seat stadium with a multi-purpose practice field with locker room, concession stand, and training room," Talbot told the board, and said the overall project was currently estimated at about $6 million. He said Florida Southern would "put $6 million up front" and take responsibility for ongoing maintenance and scheduling, while Polk County staff discussed a multi-year commitment to the partnership.
Presenters projected 20 to 25 events annually, estimated an $8—0 million economic impact for the county from out-of-area visitors and said the facility would support high school championships, collegiate meets, band events and an events academy for student training. Talbot and Superintendent Hyde emphasized that the district would ensure scheduling, maintenance and long-term intentions are captured in written agreements to avoid future disputes.
Board members asked how scheduling and priority use would be managed. Talbot and representatives said Florida Southern would handle scheduling and that, because many collegiate events occur weekday and school events on weekends, they did not anticipate frequent conflicts; board members urged that those arrangements be included in the legal documents.
Speakers also discussed facility lifecycle and maintenance obligations. When asked who would bear mid-course capital repairs, presenters said Florida Southern would initially handle maintenance while the parties negotiate contract language; staff later described Polk's prospective financial commitment in varying terms during the discussion (staff referenced both a $6 million commitment "over a 2-year period" and later a $6 million commitment "over a 3-year period").
No formal vote was taken in the work session. Presenters said they would return finalized draft agreements to legal staff and bring written contracts and a financial summary to the board for review before any binding commitment.
