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Citizens pitch county athletic complex as free after-school hub funded by travel sports
Summary
A citizen-led group outlined plans for a 119-acre Richmond County Athletic Complex, saying free afternoon programs for county children would be subsidized by travel-sports activity, grants and private fundraising; the group sought the school board’s endorsement and said it would return with specifics.
A citizen group seeking to build a multi-field Richmond County Athletic Complex presented plans to the Richmond County Schools board, saying the facility would serve youth teams, community programs and provide free afternoon activities for local children.
Hal Scheler, representing the Richmond County Athletic Complex Group, told the board the group has identified a roughly 119-acre parcel near U.S. 1 and has been working for about three and a half years to develop the concept, secure a 501(c)(3) and pursue grants. Scheler credited an individual who acquired the site and assisted with initial clearing and demolition work.
Board chair and others welcomed the presentation. Group chair Derek How said the complex aims "to create a safe space where education and athletics intertwine" and told the board he wanted the county’s children to have accessible programs: "this is going to be free for our kids in our county," which he clarified meant free afternoon programming while travel-team participation and tournament fees would still carry costs for families and visiting teams.
The presenters said funding strategies include grants, philanthropic support and revenues from travel-sports tournaments; they referenced discussions with a private partner (Amazon was mentioned as an interested post-construction partner) and said the group has begun outreach to municipalities across the county so no one town is excluded. The plan’s first phase includes a 100,000-square-foot building with digital learning spaces and classrooms and a multi-sport layout; the presenters said accessibility and inclusive programming for children of different abilities are design priorities.
Board members asked for details on funding, tournament economics and transportation. The group said it has applied for grants and will return with more detailed plans once fundraising and grant prospects are firmer. No formal board action was taken; the presentation was informational and the board did not commit district resources.
