Collier County commissioners unanimously prioritize construction of additional fields at Paradise Coast Sports Complex ahead of proposed tourist tax referendum

Commissioner Saunders moved and Commissioner McDaniel seconded a resolution directing the county to prioritize construction of additional athletic fields at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex, contingent on voter approval of a proposed sixth-penny tourist development tax referendum in November 2026. The board approved the motion unanimously.

Saunders framed the request as necessary to help Collier County attract off-season visitors and to secure business-community support for the referendum, saying the project is intended to be funded by tourist tax dollars rather than ad valorem property taxes. He cited a Hunden Partners scenario projecting roughly $18.8 million in hotel-tax revenue over 30 years and about $105 million in county sales-tax benefit in one expansion scenario.

James Hanrahan, director of parks and recreation, told commissioners the county currently maintains 34 lighted fields but is stretched by demand; he said field allocation is increasingly challenging and that parks support more than 2,000 youth athletes and hundreds of adult players who compete for prime-time slots.

Operators at the complex and event managers said expanded diamond (baseball/softball) capacity would create off-season tournaments that bring hotel room nights and incremental spending. Jack Adams of Sports Facilities Companies said the park’s operations produced a positive operational return in the current fiscal year and that additional fields would create new events and sponsorship opportunities. Roberto Moreno, CEO of FC Naples, said the complex has raised the community’s profile and that there is local and regional demand for more soccer and grass-field capacity.

Commissioners asked staff and operators to provide clearer, tighter cost estimates, a revenue/expense breakdown for operations and maintenance, and scenarios showing whether fields and the proposed indoor field house could be built concurrently or phased. Several commissioners expressed concern about wide cost ranges presented during the discussion and sought stronger proof points before pursuing a ballot measure.

The motion adopted by the board is a policy-level commitment that the county will prioritize field construction if the electorate approves the tourist tax; it does not itself appropriate funds or set construction contracts. Next steps, as discussed on the record, include refining project cost estimates, identifying operating/maintenance implications, and coordinating with the business community on voter education and campaign timing.

Votes: The motion to adopt the resolution prioritizing field construction passed unanimously.