Episcopal School of Jacksonville Breaks Ground on new stadium

Posted

The Episcopal School of Jacksonville (ESJ) broke ground on a new 1,000 seat stadium Nov. 14. The new 8,000 square feet stadium will form the centerpiece of Episcopal’s McCormick Sports Complex, which also includes Langford Track, Pajcic-Hunt Field and the Semmes Aquatic Center.

“Episcopal athletes are excited for this new, beautiful space, which will be reflective of the great student-athlete experience at ESJ,” Episcopal Athletic Director Andy Kidd said. “The strength of our programs and growth of number of students participating in athletics will be reflected in the new design and facilities.”

The new stadium will include offices, a concession stand and spirit store, meeting spaces, a new press box, a new weight room and boys and girls locker rooms and restrooms. In addition, the current swim facilities will be torn down and the swimming coaches’ offices will move to the second floor of the stadium. There will also be a second-story, covered observation deck, where spectators can watch the swimming action at the Semmes Aquatic Center from a shaded, overhead vantage point.

Episcopal fields 66 teams supported by 150 coaches each year. In addition to student athletes, ESJ summer camps and the school’s Amberjax swimming program use the sports complex almost every day of the year.

Episcopal has raised $14.4 million of the total $18 million capital campaign, which also includes a new 12-court USTA tennis facility, field house and lighted playing fields on the school’s Knight campus.