County asks to hire program manager to refine indoor sports complex plan amid funding gap

Seminole County staff asked the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday for permission to hire a program‑plan manager to refine the design, budget and operating plan for a proposed indoor sports complex at Moore Station Fields.

Rick Durr, director of Parks and Recreation, and Guy Cunha, director of Economic Development and Tourism, presented updated tourism and facility data used in the project pro‑forma. Cunha said 2024 visitor indicators showed a modest plateau in performance: roughly 2.2 million visitors countywide, about 1.41 million room nights, 70% average occupancy and a $110 average daily rate. Using a meta‑analysis of local visitor studies and pro‑forma input from Hunden Strategic Partners, consultants estimated an indoor complex could more than double out‑of‑county sports visitor economic impact to about $64.5 million and raise sports‑related overnight visitors and room nights substantially by year five.

Durr reviewed prior facility concepts and two sizing scenarios presented last year: a 72,000‑square‑foot indoor facility without a parking deck, and a larger version with a deck. Price estimates from previous work ranged from roughly $66 million (surface parking) to about $100 million (with a deck); staff said construction‑cost escalation since those estimates may widen the gap. Cunha said the new local tourism improvement district (TID) is expected to generate approximately $3.2 million annually; projected conservative bond capacity for the TID is in the low‑$50 million range under current assumptions — short of the high‑end facility estimate and leaving a funding gap.

Given that gap, staff recommended hiring a subject‑matter program manager to refine the development program, coordinate market and operations analysis, and produce a tighter project budget and scope that the board could review before selecting an architect and contractor. Commissioners praised the proposal to engage an expert and asked staff to include operational cost projections and community‑use safeguards. Commissioner Lockhart urged protections so local youth and community groups retain access to venues when out‑of‑county events are scheduled. Commissioners also noted competitive market pressures from other regions and asked that the consultant examine multipurpose uses (graduations, conferences) to broaden revenue.

No final construction budget or procurement contract was approved at the meeting. Commissioners gave direction to proceed with procuring a program‑plan manager and refining the project scope and financing analysis before returning with recommended contract documents and a proposed funding package.