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Bluffton council backs USCB’s Sand Shark 2020 arena proposal, cites regional benefits
Summary
Town council voted to approve a resolution expressing support for the University of South Carolina Beaufort’s 'Sand Shark 2020' multipurpose arena and sports complex; presenters said $47 million in state funding has been allocated and organizers are seeking additional public-private support to close the funding gap.
Justin Rice (Speaker 10), area executive for First Citizens Bank and board chair of the University of South Carolina Beaufort Education Foundation, presented the Sand Shark 2020 proposal and asked the council for a resolution of support. Rice said the project would add on-campus facilities — baseball, softball and track fields, and a convocation center estimated at roughly 3,400–3,700 seats — enabling USCB to host tournaments, trade shows and regional events and to serve as an emergency landing zone for hurricane response (Speaker 10).
"We do feel that there's gonna be some significant regional impact with the Sand Shark 2020 project," Rice told council, and he said local state representatives had allocated $47,000,000 toward the project. He described ongoing work to identify additional public and private funding to fill the remaining gap and said the university was still value‑engineering seating capacity and other elements to match budgets.
Council asked whether the arena would be available for rental and whether performing‑arts uses would be accommodated; Rice said rentals and smaller concerts are anticipated, and that such events would likely be managed by a third party while the primary purpose remains USCB athletics (Speaker 10). After brief questions, Councilmember 4 moved to approve the resolution and Councilmember 18 seconded; the body voted in favor (motion recorded and passed during the formal agenda portion).
The resolution expresses council support for the project and does not commit town funds or land. Organizers and councilmembers emphasized the project’s potential to bring athletic and visitor-related economic activity to Bluffton and the broader Lowcountry region.
