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Douglas County leaders ask state for seed money for regional sports park in Roseburg
Summary
Senate Bill 923 seeks state seed funding for a regional sports park at the Douglas County fairgrounds, including a 60,000‑square‑foot indoor complex; supporters told the committee the facility could drive tourism, support youth programs and help recruit health care professionals.
Douglas County officials and community leaders told the Senate Committee on Housing and Development on Feb. 12 that Senate Bill 923 would appropriate money to seed a capital campaign for a regional sports park at the Douglas County fairgrounds in Roseburg, including a proposed 60,000‑square‑foot indoor complex and outdoor multi‑sport fields.
Tom Kress, a Douglas County commissioner, said the project would serve local youth and attract tournaments and visitors. He cited an EcoNorthwest analysis provided to the committee that projected nearly $6.9 million in visitor spending annually by 2026 for a facility of the proposed scale. Kress said the seed funding is intended to leverage additional public and private contributions necessary to build the complex.
Aidan Bliss, co‑founder of the Roseburg Basketball Club, told the committee the county’s shortage of gym space limits youth club growth and tournament hosting. Bliss said a modern indoor complex would allow local clubs to host larger tournaments and bring economic activity to hotels, restaurants and retailers.
Nikki Messenger, Roseburg city manager, described the request as “seed money” to start a capital campaign and stressed the project’s equity and public‑health aspects, including year‑round youth programming and after‑school activities. Messenger said the city levies an 8% transient lodging tax (TLT) that could contribute to the project but does not generate enough revenue to fund the entire facility.
Local business and civic leaders described the project as a multi‑year fundraising effort and a catalyst for economic and community development. Witnesses said the initial state contribution — referenced in testimony by community members as a $15 million seed ask — would be matched by local fundraising, TLT revenue, private donations and other sources. Committee members asked questions about funding sources, county‑level uses of TLT revenue, and whether the request should be pursued in capital construction (Ways and Means) in addition to this committee’s work. The sponsor indicated intent to pursue both the bill and a capital construction request.
No committee vote was taken at the hearing. Supporters asked the committee to forward the bill and to help the county leverage matching funds for a multi‑use youth and community sports complex.
