City-County Soccer Field Deal Nears Completion

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By Mike Lednovich

Nassau County will contribute up to $1.7 million to help Fernandina Beach relocate the soccer fields at Ybor-Alvarez adjacent to the airport.

The county confirmed the funding for the project in a letter to Interim City Manager Charlie George.

"The Board (of County Commissioners) understands the importance of sustaining park services within Nassau County and is in full support of this joint project for the benefit of all of its citizens," County Manager Taco Pope stated in the letter.

Last June, the Fernandina Beach City Commission agreed to partner with Nassau County to purchase 10 acres of airport property now used as softball fields in order to build the new soccer complex.

The current soccer fields at the Ybor-Alvarez Complex are on what is defined as aeronautical obligated property controlled by the Federal Aviation Administration. There is a proposal by a private company to construct airplane hangars and storage units on the current soccer field land. The FAA mandates that aviation use of airport land is the priority. The FAA land use requirement means the soccer fields must find a new location.

The estimated cost of buying the property is $1.8 million, and the estimate for design and construction of the new soccer complex is $1.3 million.

Both the current soccer fields and softball fields were constructed with about $138,000 in grants that would have to be repaid to the state.

The next step is for the city to enter into an interlocal agreement with Nassau County to pay 50% of the land purchase and construction costs.