PORT ORANGE, Fla. – Volusia County is debating building a huge motocross facility near the “World Center of Racing.” The 65-acre property the county is eyeing is just off Tomoka Farms Road just west of Port Orange.
Right now, the county is in the middle of holding community meetings for resident feedback.
“We have several softball fields, baseball fields, soccer fields, we have now pickleball courts and the county keeps kicking in millions for that,” said County Councilman Don Dempsey.
Dempsey, who first pitched the idea, said it’s time for a place for motocross in Volusia.
“There’s not one single place in this county where a parent or grandparent can bring a child to go ride dirt bikes,” he said.
Renderings from a consultant the county hired show a long course, a short course, hundreds of parking spots and RV slips. It would host practices and events throughout the year.
The consultant estimated it could cost up to $10 million to build but would bring millions of dollars to the area over the next few decades.
Dempsey said the county is exploring options as far as funding for it.
“There are some options where we could lease the land and let an operator run it. That would be a public-private partnership,” he said.
The sound of buzzing motors, though, is not appealing for some near this potential site.
“We moved out to the country to be isolated, not have a track right on top of us now,” said Michael Glasnak.
Glasnak, who owns a home and business near the site, said he worries about the sound and traffic.
“They’re putting it on a curve, that is a dangerous curve. The entrance is going to be right behind our houses. They’re going to have to light that up,” he said.
Right now, the county is holding community meetings. It will then have to conduct several studies with engineers before this becomes a done deal and a decision can be made.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: