- February 5, 2026
Does the Ormond Beach Sports Complex need more lighting and signage for fields?
Last December, the City of Ormond Beach submitted a $300,000 grant request to the Daytona Beach Racing and Recreational Facilities District to add LED lighting to fields 11 and 12 at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex. The project is estimated to cost $413,800, and the city planned to use money from its Recreation Impact Fee Fund to cover the portion not covered by the grant.
In light of an incident that occurred in the sports complex on Jan. 24 where multiple teens were involved in a fight, Commissioner Kristin Deaton asked her fellow commissioners if they were interested in moving forward with the lighting project anyway, using Recreation Impact Fee funds.
"They're moving flag football there from the Wendelstedt fields, so this is going to be imperative," Deaton said, adding that police had issues finding the field where the fight broke out on Jan. 24.
Fields 11 and 12 currently have no permanent lighting. Pop Warner is paying for temporary lights, but those cost the city $11,000 a season.
Assistant City Manager Claire Whitley said the discussion has already started at the staff level, with the Finance Department looking into the issue. They will bring back information to the commission.
Deaton also said the palmetto underbrush should be cleared to increase visibility, without impacting existing trees, and proposed adding signage for fields 11 and 12.
Generally, the sports complex lacks signage on the road indicating which field is which.
"I think that's a no-brainer," Deputy Mayor Lori Tolland said. "You have to have signage."
Editor's note: The story was updated at 4:17 p.m. to add information about the current lighting situation at fields 11 and 12.
