# Alachua County Schools Advance Gainesville Stadium Projects

On October 6, 2026, the Alachua County School Board took steps toward athletic-facility projects in Gainesville: it approved a $5 million payment toward acquiring Citizens Field and an updated interlocal agreement with the City of Gainesville. The board also voted 3–2 to amend a motion to include a Buchholz High School football stadium; the transcript indicates the amended motion passed but does not provide a clear final tally. Reported estimates put the Citizens Field renovation at $22 million–$25 million and the Buchholz stadium at roughly $15 million–$18 million, with one report citing $15 million–$16 million. These actions indicate potential construction and site-work opportunities, but the signals identify no solicitation, contractor selection, or contract award.

- Potential work includes stadium construction or renovation and related bleachers, locker rooms, concessions, parking, utilities, stormwater improvements, landscaping, and environmental remediation.
- The figures are project estimates and funding actions, not awarded contract values; procurement timelines and solicitation details are not provided.
- Contractors should track Alachua County Public Schools and City of Gainesville procurement notices for any solicitations tied to Citizens Field or Buchholz High School.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Education, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** October 07, 2026

### Government Entities
- Alachua County School Board
- Alachua County Public Schools
- City of Gainesville

### Key Quotes
> I don't buy the financial arguments because I do feel like kicking the can and delaying any costs into the future makes things more expensive and less possible to do, given the way (financially) everything is going.
> — Thomas Vu, School Board chair

> It is Buchholz's stadium, but I also believe Buchholz should have their own stadium like Newberry High School, like Hawthorne High School, like Santa Fe High School.
> — Janine Plavac, School Board member

### Sources
- [ACPS Board Meeting 10/06/2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1aTsqbb6OU) - ACPS Video
- [Alachua County School Board OKs Citizens Field purchase, Buchholz stadium  | Pembroke Pines News](https://www.pembrokepinesflnews.com/news/article317522898.html) - Pembroke Pines News