Reaction mixed to school board's vote on Citizens Field, new Buchholz stadium

Last Tuesday, the Alachua County School Board decided to drastically change high school football in Gainesville .

The five-member school board voted 3-2 to officially purchase Citizens Field from the City of Gainesville and rebuild the facility built in 1948, along with funding the construction of a new stadium at Buchholz . The estimated cost for Citizens Field comes in at $25 million and $16 million for the new stadium at Buchholz to bring it to $41 million.

The timetable for completion remains uncertain for now, but the vote means an end to the sharing of Citizens Field by Buchholz, Gainesville High and Eastside – an arrangement in place since 1990 when the Bobcats and Hurricanes left Florida Field to move across town.

The Gainesville Sun spoke to Buchholz Athletic Director Thomas Pankey, defensive coordinator and former head coach Chuck Bell, Eastside AD Donald Buie and head coach Gator Hoskins to hear their thoughts on the ACSB's decision. Gainesville High, which doesn't have space on campus to build a stadium, declined to comment for this story.

Alachua County School Board OKs Citizens Field purchase, Buchholz stadium

Buchholz athletics excited for earned opportunity, unlocked potential

When Pankey took over as AD for Ron Brooks in May 2025, he quickly went to work to make an on-campus stadium a reality. It seemed unlikely, given that the construction of Citizens Field felt like a longshot. Adding another $16 million to the budget looked impossible.

"At some point, you have something in the community that's yours," Pankey said. "We're surprised and extremely thankful for the board that they're taking a commitment to athletics at Buchholz and in the community."

Pankey's background drove him to think outside the box. As the Bobcats wrestling coach who didn't attend BHS, he holds no special connection to Citizens Field that many in Gainesville do. He wanted what was best for the school, and that meant playing in a stadium at the school with the community behind them.

"I'm not knocking Citizens at all. We have a great partnership, and it brought a lot of value," Pankey said. "But the reality is that's 30-40 minutes from Buchholz kids and parents. There're issues with parking and being in a different area."

Momentum within the ACSB helped change the situation. The conflict over Citizens Field, and chairman Thomas Vu's desire to for each school to have their own stadium opened a door for the northwest Gainesville community to voice their opinion.

At a workshop in the morning and during public comment in the school board meeting Tuesday evening, many community members offered support for the stadium.

Buchholz football stars shine in second half to knock off Forest

That helped change the vote as both Janine Plavac and Leanetta McNealy – two yes votes – said they were reflecting community desires.

Outside of football, Pankey said the stadium allows for unleashed potential for other BHS sports. Soccer, lacrosse and flag football will no longer need to venture to Jonesville.

"Girls lacrosse had to pay to rent and practice at other areas. Boys and girls soccer practice on half fields. Flag football practices in a triangle," Pankey said. "This is going to benefit thousands of student athletes at Buchholz."

Bobcats football ready to defend their own turf

The construction of a new stadium is at a perfect time for BHS football. This decade, the Bobcats – with five consecutive regional championships – have become a state powerhouse.

"A lot of us longtime Buchholz guys never thought it would actually happen," Bell said. "Excited that all three schools are going to have the opportunity to play in a special place."

Bell called the process as fair and equitable as possible, given issues for a stadium at Eastside and the impracticability of one at GHS.

"From a Buchholz standpoint, we're excited to defend our turf and have a place we feel proud to play home games at," Bell said.

That wasn't the case at Citizens. With a field covered in sand and dirt, Bell said the City of Gainesville and Alachua County Public Schools were offering a bad introduction to some of the programs BHS welcomed – top teams in the state with recruits who hold offers from UF just four miles away.

"We were putting out dirty, ragged-out welcome mats," Bell said. "Being able to welcome people to Gainesville and Alachua County and show people we do things first class."

Santa Fe football powers past Eastside at Citizens Field. See our best photos!

Eastside football worried about competitive advantage

In a document detailing the results of a three-month study regarding the viability of each school having their own football stadium, the ACSB revealed that Eastside logically made the most sense. Construction would cause limited disruption due to EHS location and there is ample parking.

However, Eastside ended Tuesday without a stadium. Mosquito issues ultimately plagued the proposal.

AD Donald Buie, who is an EHS alum, understands the issues with mosquitos. He mentioned how JV games have been played at 6 p.m. to avoid problems. However, that shouldn't be enough to not grant Eastside a stadium.

"I don't want to step on my administrative toes too much, but if you're asking me personally, I'd love to see Eastside have their own stadium to keep up with the competitive advantage," Buie said.

That competitive advantage bothers Gator Hoskins as well. The Rams head coach worries Buchholz will benefit from a stadium with their logo on it.

"If I was a football player, it would feel good to walk out and see Rams painted in the endzone and a Ram logo at midfield," Hoskins said.

And just like how northwest Gainesville wants a stadium at Buchholz, the east side desires one at EHS – even if it isn't voiced as loudly.

"It's something the whole east side wants," Hoskins said.

A school board seat is on the November 3rd General Election ballot. Plavac is running against Hunter Miller for District 1. In a Facebook post last Wednesday, Miller said he doesn't support a new stadium for Buchholz.

Noah Ram covers Florida Gators athletics and Gainesville-area high school sports for The Gainesville Sun, GatorSports.com and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at nram@usatodayco.com . Follow him on X @Noah_ram1 , Instagram @Ramreporter and Facebook Noah Ram - Reporter .