On Saturday, January 5, 2013, City of Fort Lauderdale Mayor John P. “Jack” Seiler, SEC Commissioner Mike Slive, ACC Commissioner John Swofford, Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick and Bowl Championship Series Executive Director Bill Hancock joined Orange Bowl President Ford Gibson and CEO Eric Poms in celebrating the newly completed $3 million renovation to Joseph C. Carter Park.
The project represents the Orange Bowl’s latest legacy gift in honor of the 2013 BCS National Championship Game. Renovations at Carter Park included the installation of a new synthetic turf football field, state-of-the-art eight lane track, enhanced spectator areas and new scoreboard. The project directly benefits underprivileged children who participate in various athletic leagues, after school programs and summer camps at Carter Park. The local community will also benefit from the project, as Carter Park will be able to attract a greater range of youth athletic competitions and community activities.
The Carter Park project follows the Orange Bowl’s renovation of Moore Park in Allapattah in honor of the Orange Bowl’s 75th anniversary. Along with funding of youth sports leagues, grants and scholarship programs, the Carter Park project furthers the Committee’s mission to positively impact and benefit our community’s most important asset, its youth. The Orange Bowl Committee and the City of Fort Lauderdale contributed $1.5 million each for the renovation and first broke ground on the park July 19, 2012.