Indian River schools plans $7 million community complex, sports fields across from Vero High

VERO BEACH — A $7 million community park, sports fields and business center at the former Jimmy Graves Sports Complex got a head start in fundraising Tuesday with a $1 million contribution from the city.

"This touches all the bases," said City Councilman John Cotugno at Tuesday's meeting. "It's green space, it's open to the community. It's for the public good and it's fully inclusive."

The Vero Beach Community Complex would be built on 11.6 acres across from Vero Beach High School. In 2017, former City Councilman Joe Graves bought the property from Indian River County, hoping to maintain it for recreation in memory of his 15-year-old son, who died in a 2016 boating accident.

Graves donated the property to the school district in 2021, with the stipulation that the sports stadium would be named after his son.

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The school district now plans to turn the property into a community facility called the Vero Beach Community Complex. Cindy Emerson, director of instructional innovation for the district, told the City Council. The $3.8 million Jimmy Graves Sports Stadium would include a regulation-size circular track and lacrosse and soccer fields for Vero Beach High School teams.

Having a regulation track-and-field facility would allow the school to host Florida High School Athletic Association track meets, which it's never been able to do, she said.

A half-mile, $200,000 walking trail and a $280,000 inclusive playground with accessible equipment to accommodate wheelchairs and special needs also is planned. So is a $2 million student entrepreneur center and innovation lab, Emerson said. Student-run businesses, such as the Vero Bean coffee beverage business operated during school hours, could be open to the public on the weekends at the entrepreneur center, she said.

"We really do see this project as a unifier within our community — bringing people back together and focusing back on the values that we believe in so greatly at the district," Emerson said.

The City Council agreed to contribute $1 million to the project.

"I think it's a very important project. It's a way to build a new facility and a new park system to help us out," said Mayor Robbie Brackett. "It's a chance to do what the public wants us to do, and that is to create parks and green space."

Organizers hope to raise $4 million by October so construction can begin on the sports complex and playground, Emerson said.

The school district would maintain the property and pay associated costs, about $630,000, school Superintendent David Moore said.

"A school system is never going to be any stronger than the community in which it's in," Moore told the City Council. "This is the opportunity really to provide a space that we fully commit to keep open from sunrise to sunset in service of the community, a space where families can come together, parents can meet teachers and parents can socialize with fellow community members. It really is the heartbeat of the community."

A $1 million private donation through the Education Foundation of Indian River County was finalized Tuesday, Emerson said. The foundation is selling sponsorships from $100 for turf to $50,000 for the walking trail. A $100,000 silver sponsorship also is available. Information about sponsorships is available at the Education Foundation, 772-564-0034.

The project brings to fruition the plan originally envisioned by Graves, he said. His son would be proud, he said.

"(Jimmy) was always about helping other kids," Graves said. "This is right in line with the legacy that he left."

Jimmy Graves ran track with the Gifford youth track team, which often practiced without lighted facilities, he said. He had planned to try out for the VBHS track team, but died before its spring season began, he said.

"This is something really, really positive," Graves said.

Colleen Wixon is the Indian River County government watchdog reporter for TCPalm.com. Contact her at Colleen.Wixon@TCPalm.com or 772-978-2235.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Indian River Schools plans $7 million community complex near VBHS