The Destin City Council voted unanimously Monday to modernize lighting at Morgan Sports Center, awarding an $847,239 contract to M. Gay Constructors for comprehensive upgrades scheduled for completion by April 30, 2025.
- The project, part of the city’s recreational asset renewal program, will replace existing lighting with new LED systems across six baseball fields, three soccer fields and two parking areas. An additional $127,950 control system installation is also under consideration.
“The new LED lighting system will provide benefits with increased safety and energy efficiency,” Parks & Recreation Director Lisa Firth said in the project proposal.
The council’s approval came after a contractual reset when the initially selected company, Techline Sports Lighting, withdrew its proposal upon discovery it lacked required state general contractor licensing.
- “This is a situation we’re not proud to present to you because we didn’t do a good job,” City Manager Larry Jones told the council, explaining that staff is implementing new verification procedures for future bid processes.
M. Gay Constructors, which scored second-highest among seven bidders, was the only company verified to hold both required state general contractor and electrical licenses.
The project’s $975,189 total potential cost, including optional controls, falls well within the city’s $1.38 million budget allocation for the sports complex lighting improvements in fiscal year 2025.
