Dublin approves SportsOhio facilities‑management agreement with national operator

Dublin City Council voted Monday to authorize a facilities management agreement with Sports Facilities Company (SFC) to operate the SportsOhio athletic complex acquired by the city in 2024.

City staff presented the proposed agreement and described negotiated terms intended to keep SportsOhio a public asset while leveraging professional facility management. Under the contract negotiated by city staff and SFC, the manager will receive a base fee of $20,000 per month and be responsible for day‑to‑day operations, staffing, marketing, maintenance, and event coordination. The initial contract term runs from July 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2029, with the city retaining final approval of the facility’s annual business plan and operating budget and ownership of all revenue accounts.

Nut graf: The agreement aims to bring experienced venue management to a large new public sports facility while preserving city control and tax‑exempt status; staff said the fee structure and limited incentive payments were designed to maintain the property’s public‑purpose posture.

Under the contract, SFC may earn performance‑based incentives: 7.5% of food‑and‑beverage revenue when annual F&B revenue exceeds $180,000, and a tiered share of sponsorship and advertising revenue (20% for SFC‑initiated deals; 15% for city‑initiated deals). SFC is responsible for routine maintenance and emergency repairs; capital improvements and major repairs above $10,000 with useful life beyond five years remain a city responsibility. Payroll will be administered through an SFC payroll account, and hiring of key management positions is subject to city approval.

Staff said the city appropriated $2.5 million in the 2025 budget to support the remainder of the year’s operations. SFC also will participate in the facility master‑planning work the city has begun and has proposed a 30‑day overlap transition with the Shepherd family (the temporary manager) to ensure continuity.

Councilors asked about the contract’s rollout, hiring timeline and budget impacts. Jim Arnold, SFC national director of business development, said staffing will be phased based on actual revenue and contracts, with an initial 30‑ to 90‑day ramp to full operations and a market rollout coordinated with city marketing staff. Council members asked for periodic reporting; staff said SFC will provide monthly financial reports and an annual operating plan to align with the city’s budget process.

Council adopted the resolution authorizing the manager agreement on a unanimous roll call vote. City staff said they will brief council on operational milestones and return with updates as the management transition proceeds.

Ending: With the agreement in place, the city expects professional management to increase programming and revenue opportunities while staff and council retain oversight of major capital decisions and master planning for the site.