High Point council approves lease with High Point University for boathouse at O'Connor/Ocala Lake

The High Point City Council voted to approve a resolution authorizing a lease agreement with High Point University for a boathouse and associated facilities on O'Connor/Ocala Lake.

Council approved the measure by voice vote after public comment from residents, members of local sailing and rowing clubs, and university representatives. Mayor Cyril Jefferson moved to approve the item; Councilmember Andrew seconded the motion and the council approved the resolution by voice vote.

Supporters—including High Point University athletic director Dan Hauser and coaches Jessica Dietrich and Burton Wicker—said a boathouse is necessary for a Division I rowing program and argued the facility would bring events and visitors to the city. “We are investing around $15,000,000 over the next 6 to 8 years,” Athletic Director Dan Hauser told the council, describing planned scholarships, staff salaries and facilities investments. Head rowing coach Jessica Dietrich said the program needs on-site storage and that small regattas could bring teams and visitors to High Point.

Residents and other lake users urged safeguards for continued public access and sensitive design. Lydia White and other residents said initial media reports had been misleading about the project scope and raised concerns that a new building or its architecture might discourage community use of the lake. “My main concern is that the architecture will deter community use and eventually it will be eliminated,” said Lydia White, a local resident and sailing club member.

City staff and project representatives described the planned structure and landscaping in detail. Architect John Connette said the building design uses brick, lap siding and a metal roof to match neighborhood character. Jamestown Engineering Group’s Dan Pritchett said the site plan includes a landscape buffer that requires an opaque screen fence and supplemental plantings along the property line adjacent to a residence; he said the plan’s only fence is part of the required landscape buffer, not a perimeter security fence. “There’s quite a large landscape buffer required in addition to the fence,” Pritchett told the council.

Parks and Recreation Director Lee Tillery told the council staff works to balance multiple lake uses—sailing, rowing, fishing, kayaking and other recreation—and that most boat launches occur at Ocala Marina, preserving multiple access points. Council members asked staff and the university to clarify practice times and any temporary lane or access impacts when events occur; Councilmember Amanda Cook requested published schedules for practices and any temporary lane changes.

The contract approval was taken as a resolution authorizing a lease agreement; the council approved the resolution by voice vote with no roll-call tally recorded in the minutes.

The lease agreement and site plan will be administered by city staff; the approved site plan includes the landscape buffer and opaque screening elements noted by staff. The council and staff said they expect continued coordination among the university, parks staff and community groups to minimize conflicts and preserve public access.

The council’s approval concludes the council-level decision to authorize the lease; implementation and any subsequent building permits or city approvals will follow the city’s permitting and site-plan review process.