The aged and outdated field house at City Park Stadium, which is used by Gainesville High's football program, may soon be a thing of the past.

A new area big enough for two teams should be ready in time for the 2012 football season thanks to a joint effort by Gainesville City Schools, Gainesville Parks & Recreation and considerable private donations. The effort has been five years in the making.

"It's way overdue," said Gainesville City Schools superintendent Merrianne Dyer, who added that no money from the current fiscal year's budget was put toward the project. "The field house we have now is old and inadequate. The new facility will be very economical and cost effective."

Plans for the facility have already been submitted to the city planning board.

If approved, demolition could begin after the football season ends, probably closer to the end of the year.

Construction of the new facility, which will sit on the same site, would begin early next year, and the completion date is set for August 2012, Assistant Superintendant David Shumake said.

Dyer said the total cost of the project is $900,000.

Gainesville City Schools is spending $350,000 for the project, while $290,000 is coming from city funds. On top of that, $200,000 has been contributed by the family of Dr. P.K. Dixon, who served as team doctor for 46 years.

A pool of separate family contributions totaled $60,000.
Dyer said, when completed, the new field house will line the area behind the goal post.

Original plans included a plaza area but those have since been removed.