County council members break ground on Buck Walter athletic field expansion in Bluffton
June 30, 2026 | Beaufort County, South Carolina
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Beaufort County council members marked a groundbreaking for the Buck Walter athletic field expansion in Bluffton, announcing plans to add four all‑terrain turf fields, new lighting and restroom infrastructure as part of a roughly $14.2 million project. "We are here today to break ground on the Buck Walter athletic field expansion," a county council member said at the ceremony.
The council member said the project grew out of local demand and anecdotal requests for closer recreational options, recalling that soon after joining the council in 2024 a child told them she wanted another soccer field so her mother would not have to drive her to Savannah for practice. The speaker said fellow advocate "Mr. Cunningham" had been pushing for the fields for years and that population growth south of the Broad in Bluffton made new facilities necessary.
Another official at the event defended the budgeted cost, saying the $14.2 million figure reflects not only turf but associated infrastructure such as stormwater work, lighting and restrooms. "You hear 14 million, it sounds like a big number, but when you think about all that it's doing and providing," the speaker said, describing the turf fields as multipurpose surfaces that can host other events and athletic activities.
A resident who spoke at the ceremony described the expansion as a local benefit for families and athletes. The resident also said the county is using "county council dedicated funds, both impact fee funds and regular funds" to pay for the work. Event remarks emphasized retaining residents, supporting young families and the potential to enhance property values; an official said local recreational amenities contribute to why families choose to move to Bluffton.
Event organizers did not specify a construction timeline or grand opening date at the ceremony. Officials said they plan to complete the planned parking and fields together; no formal vote or ordinance was recorded during the event.
The council member said the project grew out of local demand and anecdotal requests for closer recreational options, recalling that soon after joining the council in 2024 a child told them she wanted another soccer field so her mother would not have to drive her to Savannah for practice. The speaker said fellow advocate "Mr. Cunningham" had been pushing for the fields for years and that population growth south of the Broad in Bluffton made new facilities necessary.
Another official at the event defended the budgeted cost, saying the $14.2 million figure reflects not only turf but associated infrastructure such as stormwater work, lighting and restrooms. "You hear 14 million, it sounds like a big number, but when you think about all that it's doing and providing," the speaker said, describing the turf fields as multipurpose surfaces that can host other events and athletic activities.
A resident who spoke at the ceremony described the expansion as a local benefit for families and athletes. The resident also said the county is using "county council dedicated funds, both impact fee funds and regular funds" to pay for the work. Event remarks emphasized retaining residents, supporting young families and the potential to enhance property values; an official said local recreational amenities contribute to why families choose to move to Bluffton.
Event organizers did not specify a construction timeline or grand opening date at the ceremony. Officials said they plan to complete the planned parking and fields together; no formal vote or ordinance was recorded during the event.
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