Walton County seeks public input on potential DeFuniak Springs sports complex

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. (WMBB) — Walton County is looking to add a more than $20 million sports complex around DeFuniak Springs.  

Crossroads Consulting presented a feasibility report to the Walton County Board of County Commissioners this month regarding a new complex. 

“It’s a fabulous idea, I hope to see it come to fruition,” said Donna Johns, District 4 commissioner.

The firm said they considered a potential complex featuring 8 to 10 lighted baseball and softball fields, with some multi-purpose outdoor fields. As well as an indoor facility for basketball, volleyball, gymnastics and other indoor sports. 

“The point is that these places build these places to generate tourism,” said Danny Glidewell, District 2 Commissioner   

Consultants identified eight possible sites. The top-ranked site is a parcel north of the North Walton Doctors Hospital on 331.  The second is near a local chicken farm, and the third is on Bob Sikes Rd. 

The board agreed they need more information and the public’s opinions before moving forward. 

“Let’s give the public a chance to weigh in because if the public is not behind the general concept of doing this then we are all fighting a losing battle. So I say we eat this apple one bite at a time, let’s get some public input, and see if we even have support with these workshops,” said William McCormick, District 1 Commissioner.

If the commissioners proceed, the firm suggested they should do the development in phases, beginning with the outdoor fields first, phase two could be construction of the indoor facility at a later date. 

“There’s more demand, from a short-term perspective, for the outdoor field complex, just because you have less of those fields,” said Susan Sieger, Crossroads Consulting.

The indoor facility is estimated at $22 million. The outdoor field separately sits between $33 million to $43 million depending on the site. 

“I think we need to consider the funding budget first, where are we going to get the money from, how much money are we going to be able to get. That sort of thing before we start having the public decide where to put this,” said Johns. 

The commission agreed to schedule a public workshop to discuss the feasibility report for the project. The date and location of the workshop will be announced later. 

Watch the full presentation online.