The state has included $5 million in the budget for a new training facility in NE Fla. Media doesn't know where it is to be located, but I know where they are looking. Interesting choice, but I can't divulge.
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2015/06/22/jacksonville-armada-could-get-new-facility.html
I thought the same, but:
The state has slated $5 million for "Youth Soccer Academy and Training Grounds" in Northeast Florida, according to the Florida Times-Union. The facility would require a public-private partnership for a facility worth anywhere from $20 million to $25 million.
The facility wouldn't just have one soccer field. It would include seven pro-size fields, a 15,000-square-foot facility, bleachers and parking. The Armada would pay privately for use of the facility.
So it would be for the public and the Armada would pay to use it. Seems sensible enough. Makes a lot more sense than having the taxpayers foot the bill for a private practice facility - especially given the volatile nature of professional soccer in the USA (and Florida in particular).
Quote from: CityLife on June 22, 2015, 11:00:33 AM
The state has included $5 million in the budget for a new training facility in NE Fla. Media doesn't know where it is to be located, but I know where they are looking. Interesting choice, but I can't divulge.
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2015/06/22/jacksonville-armada-could-get-new-facility.html
Assume in Duval. The T-U listed items like this for NE Florida broken down by which county was receiving the funds and this particular item was listed for Duval County.
^Yes. The area I know of is in Duval.
So what about a long term home stadium?
The baseball grounds have not been as terrible as I expected but they cannot play there forever.
the team still hopes to have a soccer-specific stadium within the next 3-5 years
So where is this thing going to be? And what will be different between this and what Patton Park already is?
Not happening. Governor Voldemort just nuked it.
http://www.news4jax.com/politics/gov-rick-scott-signs-budget-vetoes-500-million/33727520
I'm not necessarily bothered by him vetoing this, but I thought this was odd:
The governor said the targets of his budget vetoes were projects that either did not go through a proper process before getting added or did not have a statewide impact.
There are lots of worthwhile projects that will only have regional impact. That seems really stupid "logic".
I though the USS Adams didn't need any public money? What was the $1 million request for?