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Council commits park land for proposed Game Changers sports complex; requires private fundraising targets
Summary
The council approved a commitment agreement reserving land in Macalester Park for a proposed nonprofit indoor sports complex. Presenters described a 140,000-square-foot facility with multiple courts and a 2,000-seat stadium; council required fundraising milestones and limited credit for city-related contributions toward the 85% target.
LUBBOCK, Texas — The City Council on Aug. 12 approved a commitment agreement to reserve city-owned land in Macalester Park for a proposed indoor sports facility advocated by Lubbock Game Changers, provided the nonprofit meets privately raised funding milestones.
What council approved: The agreement commits park property so that it will not be used for other purposes while Game Changers raises private funds. Council amended the agreement to clarify that city or city-related entities' financial contributions will not be counted toward the group's 85% fundraising milestone; that amendment passed, and the final motion to approve the commitment passed 6'to—1.
What the proposal would be: Presenters described a roughly 137,000'to'140,000-square-foot facility on about 20 acres at Macalester Park. Developer and presenter Rhett Butler said the indoor complex would include multiple regulation courts for basketball and volleyball and a stadium seating about 2,000, and would be organized as a nonprofit intended to reinvest revenue into programming and scholarships. Butler said the facility is intended to support sports tourism and local youth athletics and compared the concept to similar facilities in Abilene and Midland.
Council conditions and timeline: The presenters said they would not seek city operating subsidies unless they reached 85% of their private fundraising target; council members added that counts toward the 85% shall not include city or city-related entities. Councilmembers discussed a two-year timeframe for the group to demonstrate fundraising progress; some members suggested check-ins at one year. Presenters said they would not ask for city contributions until they reached the 85% threshold.
Public and council reaction: Councilmembers praised the concept's potential tourism and youth-sports benefits but noted fundraising would be challenging. Councilmember Eric Rose said the city's role in the agreement is limited to reserving the land and that staff would return for any subsequent contracts or financial requests.
Quote: "Our vision is to bring a world class facility right here at home," presenter Rhett Butler told the council.
Next steps: Staff will record the formal agreement terms and return with follow-up steps, including any additional legal documents needed to document the reservation and fundraising milestones.
