FLORENCE, SC (WMBF) - A referendum coming to vote in the coming weeks would put an outdated Florence Memorial Stadium out of commission and sanction the construction of new athletic complexes for three Florence One District Schools.
The 2019 Florence District One referendum would allocate close to $15 million dollars of an $198 million dollar pie to the construction of new complexes for Wilson, West and South Florence High Schools. Originally built in 1949, the current home of all three schools would be laid to rest at the end of the 2020 football season.
“I don’t see many people opposing the need for the new facilities,” began school board Chairman Barry Townsend. “The big concern is the tax increase.” Townsend added the stadium was in bad shape when he graduated high school.
We’ve gotten great use out of it over 70 years but I believe it’s time for us match what other schools in other districts have.
Currently the facility has no visiting or officials locker room. Visiting teams are forced to change in a wooded area behind the away bleachers while the district purchases hotel rooms for the officials to change in.
“A visit to Memorial Stadium by the opposing team is no treat,” said Townsend.
One of the renderings from the 2019 referendum allocating $15 million for the creation of three new athletic complexes. West Florence.
Other believe the stadium as it currently stands has major security and safety concerns.
In addition to the creation of the new athletic complexes, the referendum would establish funds to build three new schools in the district. Only 7 percent of the funds created would be allocated for athletic programs.
On the property of the Florence Regional Airport, Memorial Stadium was denied requests by the FAA to add additional lighting to the parking lot.
To read the full referendum, click below.