- December 15, 2025
The first phase of improvements to the Buddy Taylor sports fields will cost about $138,000.
Phase 1 of the Buddy Taylor Middle School sports-field-improvement project includes a multipurpose field inside of the school’s outdoor track and is estimated to cost $138,005, not including lights, which would run another $85,000.
But according to Walt Fischer, school district director of plant services, that’s just half of the proposed project, for which a $150,000 grant application is currently being drawn up for submission to the Tourist Development Council.
Fischer is currently exploring a collaboration with the city of Palm Coast and the county, similar to that at the Indian Trails Sports Complex. He expects the total cost of the project to be $548,617, not including equipment. Phase 2 includes two additional fields behind the track.
“It’s pretty good space. We can get good use out of (these improvements),” Fischer told the Flagler County School Board, in a March 6 presentation. “And there are obviously going to be savings by getting the city involved, probably more so than (we) see here.”
In the deal, Palm Coast would contribute design and construction labor at the facility, and the county would supply equipment. Funding for scoreboards, bleachers and player benches is also currently being sought through sponsorships.
One potential savings could come from engineering services, which the city could also contribute from staff time.
“The concept is the same, basically, with what we have with Indian Trails,” Fischer added. “(We want) to attract tournies and competitions.”
The estimated start date of the project is tentatively scheduled for April, with an estimated completion date of October 2013.
At a future workshop, the board will discuss the logistics of paying for the project. But as Fischer told the board, if the TDC grant is obtained, the first phase of the project could still be completed, even if the board decides not to fund Phase 2.
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