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Preston Hood Chevrolet donates SUV to Fort Walton Beach Athletic Complex

The vehicle will be used by athletic complex staff to deliver equipment and supplies throughout the facility and in their community outreach efforts.
City Manager Jeff Peters and Preston Hood Chevrolet Dealer Taylor Hood pictured with city and Preston Hood Chevrolet employees (Contributed)

On Wednesday, May 1, Preston Hood Chevrolet donated a new white 2024 Chevrolet Equinox SUV to the Fort Walton Beach Preston Hood Athletic Complex.

  • The vehicle will be used by athletic complex staff to deliver equipment and supplies throughout the facility and in their community outreach efforts.

“We’re honored to donate this new Chevy Equinox to help support operations at the Fort Walton Beach Preston Hood Athletic Complex,” said Preston Hood Chevrolet Dealer Taylor Hood. “This SUV is the perfect vehicle to help on the complex grounds and across the community.” 

The Preston Hood Athletic Complex, established in 2015 with Preston Hood’s $250,000 donation, is located directly across from the dealership at 132 Jet Drive NW in Fort Walton Beach. 

  • The facility is a premier location to host youth sports, featuring seven baseball/softball fields, four beach volleyball courts, three soccer fields, several multi-use fields, a one-mile walking path, a skate park, and room for future expansion.
City Manager Jeff Peters with Preston Hood Chevrolet Dealer Taylor Hood pictured with city and Preston Hood Chevrolet employees (Contributed)

Each year, Preston Hood Chevrolet contributes to the city’s youth athletic programs by sponsoring various spring and fall sports teams and donating new equipment to the City of Fort Walton Beach for its community complex, with the help of the Chevy Youth Baseball/Softball Program.

City Manager Jeff Peters expressed his gratitude for the ongoing support from the Preston Hood family. “Preston Hood wrote an initial check for $250,000 right before the athletic complex was built. Taylor and the family wanted to follow up with that, and they donated an SUV for the Recreation staff to use for the recreation operations,” Peters said.

Peters recalled a conversation with Preston Hood in 2015, before the complex was built, where Hood expressed his belief that the complex would be the greatest project for the community after he and his wife had driven through the property when it was just dirt. 

  • “Even though he is no longer with us, I know it’ll make him proud when we continue to add onto that complex across the street from the dealership,” Peters added. 

As the complex has grown not only for city recreation, but also tournaments, Peters says the Hood family and staff still believe in the athletic complex and its staff.

“The city of Fort Walton Beach just really appreciates the ongoing and continued support that the Preston Hood family has continued to give towards the city and the recreation department as a whole,” he said.

One Response

  1. Preston Hood was a good friend for many years and
    One of the best automobile dealers I’ve ever known.
    The Preston Hood Athletic Complex is a testimony to his vision and a wonderful asset for Ft. Walton Beach. I’m proud that Taylor is continuing what Preston and Ann have created in this beautiful part of Florida.

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