Jeff Pulaski, Wendell's parks and recreation director, gave the Board of Commissioners an update on the Wendell Athletic Field Complex plan for a 25-acre site adjacent to Wendell Town Park, saying the concept includes a natural-turf football field, a natural-turf practice field and three full-size synthetic turf multipurpose fields.

Pulaski said CHA Consulting prepared construction documents for the complex. He described a funding package with a total project budget of $13 million, including $1,800,000 from Wake County tourism funds and $11.2 million in town bond funds approved by voters in November. Pulaski said the North Carolina Football Club (NCFC) has agreed to fund lighting for the three synthetic turf fields, which were not originally planned to be lit because of cost, and that the town will own the property and infrastructure while the NCFC will reimburse or fund the lighting and enter into a usage agreement.

Pulaski described site features including storage, a concession area and food-truck connections for tournament events, and said the fields would connect to the Buffalo Creek Greenway. He said final design work and permitting are underway, Wake County is working with the town on the land purchase for Tracks 1 and 2, and staff anticipate final design to go out in 2025 with construction beginning in early 2026.

Pulaski said on ownership and operations: "The town will own everything on the property. They just reimburse for expense," and said usage and operating agreements will be part of the partnership with NCFC and local organizations such as the Wendell Rams.

No formal board action was taken; the presentation was informational.

Background: Pulaski said the site plan includes parking, a main football and cheer field, multipurpose turf fields usable for soccer, lacrosse and field hockey, and connections to existing trails. He noted the design intent to host local, regional and national tournaments.