Santee Seeks Grant for New Soccer Field
The town is pursuing state funding to build a soccer field and launch its first official soccer program for children ages 3 to 12.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Soccer
Live Poll
Should your town use state grant money to build new public sports fields?
Santee has requested about $95,000 from a state Parks and Recreation Development grant to build a soccer field behind its police station. The town plans to start an official soccer program for children ages 3 to 12.
Why it matters
Santee's population has doubled since the last census, and the town currently has official baseball and softball programs but none for soccer. The project would expand recreational options for families as the community grows.
The town requested about $95,000 from a state PARD grant, with a required 10 percent match of roughly $9,500. Final funding approval and total project cost have not been determined.
The players
South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism
The state agency that administers the Parks and Recreation Development grant program, which funds local recreation projects on a reimbursable basis.
Sen. Brad Hutto
A South Carolina state senator who said he sees no reason the project would not be funded to the extent funds are available.
The details
The soccer field would sit between Bonner Avenue and Dazzy Circle on town-owned property behind the police station, with the Parks and Recreation Department leading the effort. Surveying and engineering work has begun, and the PARD grant would cover equipment and grading. The town also currently offers pickleball and baseball courts without official recreation programs in those sports.
Timeline
Within the past four years: Town population increased, with 20 to 30 people moving in monthly.
Late winter 2027: Project expected to go out to bid.
Spring 2027: Construction expected to begin.
Roadmap
Santee's application is a typical use of the state PARD grant program, which reimburses local governments for recreation projects. The effort reflects a broader pattern of small South Carolina towns using state matching funds to expand youth sports as their populations grow.
Once built, the field would give Santee children ages 3 to 12 a local place to play organized soccer for the first time through an official town program. Families would no longer have to travel outside town to join a youth soccer team.
The takeaway
Santee's soccer plans show how small towns can use state matching grants to add recreation options as their populations expand, and families in the area can watch for the bid and construction milestones.
What happens next
The project is expected to go out to bid in late winter 2027, with construction slated to begin in spring 2027.
Further reading
Explore more soccer coverage to see how youth programs are developing across the region.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times and Democrat.
Live Poll
Should your town use state grant money to build new public sports fields?
