Commission directs staff to negotiate with Easton Foundation on proposed sports‑facility expansion

The City Commission on March 10 authorized staff to negotiate terms with the Easton Sports Development Foundation for a proposed 9,800 square‑foot addition to the East Newberry Sports Complex and an updated operating agreement. The motion, to direct staff to negotiate (Option A), passed unanimously.

Rod Clark, the city’s recreation director, summarized the foundation’s proposal and staff concerns. Easton proposes to build an addition that would include an indoor archery hall, bathrooms, offices and storage and to contribute a percentage of construction costs toward an estimated $3.5 million expansion. Easton also requested renewal of the operating agreement for 35 years.

Clark told commissioners the original 2008 agreement created the facility now known as the East Newberry Sports Complex; Easton contributed $1.5 million toward construction and the city covered remaining costs and later operating and maintenance. The original contract included a 20‑year term with an option to renew for an additional 10 years; Clark said that if the city denies an extension under current contract terms, the city would be liable for $1.5 million (adjusted for inflation) in liquidated damages.

Staff raised several concerns about the requested expansion: the proposed new roof height of about 15 feet would limit indoor recreation uses (staff said a 25‑foot standard is typical for many sports), the narrow program focus on archery could constrain future recreation programming, the need to allocate parking and utilities equitably, and the lack of clear separation of responsibilities for ongoing operating costs and infrastructure. Clark asked the commission to direct staff to negotiate clear delineation of space, utilities, phone/data lines and shared costs.

Eric, representing Easton, told the commission Easton would seek to install a fence to enclose the outdoor archery paddock and that Easton planned to include office space in its proposed build. He also said Easton expected to pay for construction of the addition rather than ask the city to provide building funds.

Commissioners discussed the long renewal period Easton requested and possible alternatives. Mayor Jordan Marlowe said he had held behind‑the‑scenes conversations that might resolve several concerns and asked staff to pursue negotiations first rather than immediately decide on a final contract. Commissioner Mark Clark made the motion to direct staff to negotiate; Commissioner Coleman seconded.

The commission’s vote was procedural: staff will return with negotiated terms and a draft contract for commission review. Commissioners and staff flagged the need for clearly delineated responsibilities for utilities, parking and insurance, plus attention to future indoor programming needs if a permanent build were to proceed.

Speakers quoted or referenced in this article are listed at the end.