Horry County committee advances civic-center arena design, approves $729,607 schematic phase

A Horry County committee voted to advance schematic design for a proposed rural civic center arena, approving up to $729,607 to fund consultants and reimbursables needed to develop construction-level drawings and updated cost estimates. The committee recorded the motion, second and a voice vote in favor.

Consultants presented four development options and associated cost ranges during the meeting. Margaret Butler of MHM Architecture summarized the preferred full-build option and its price: “The projected cost for that complex, for that first space was, nearly 115,000,000.” That preferred scheme includes a roughly 139,000-square-foot arena with a 150-by-300-foot floor, a covered warm-up area, a 200-stall barn, a continuous concourse sized for expo booths, and fixed seating configured to accommodate about 3,800 patrons plus seating-in-the-round.

Other options trimmed scope to reduce cost. Consultants said a reduced initial arena-only phase (holding off barn and warm-up) was estimated at about $99,000,000; a value-engineered alternative with prefab stalls was roughly $104,000,000; and a simplified arena configuration with smaller seating and two stall barns was estimated near $85,500,000. Consultants noted all schemes include substantial site work—about 48 acres of grading, drainage and access improvements—and that estimates include design and construction contingencies applied at this early stage.

County staff outlined how the project might be paid for. “Right now, the county has committed and actually funded roughly the $35,500,000 That’s in cash that’s sitting in our bank account today,” a county staff member told the committee. Staff also described potential outside support (state grants or contributions) and the option of using a 1.5% hospitality allocation to fund debt service over time; consultants suggested that relying on hospitality revenues to finance debt could stretch across an estimated 12–13 years if the county preserved its cash for other projects.

Consultants said the next phase—schematic design—would tighten the program and pricing, involve a user group and operator input, and produce alternatives for the committee to choose among. They explained that the early cost model includes a 15% allowance for project-level items (surveying, permitting, owner equipment, AV, security, etc.) plus an added design contingency because drawings are still conceptual.

During discussion several committee members emphasized local economic opportunity and urged the county to pursue the larger, more flexible facility; one committee member encouraged a bolder approach, summing up the sentiment with, “Go big or go home.” After brief additional comments, a member moved and a second was recorded; the committee voted in favor and the chair announced, “Ayes have it.”

The schematic-design contract value and scope will be finalized as staff and consultants complete procurement and scope documents. Consultants said schematic work would include 4–6 stakeholder meetings, coordination with technical consultants (civil, structural, MEP, AV, food service), and engagement with a future operator to refine operational requirements. The committee also completed routine business (agenda and prior minutes approval) and adjourned with plans to schedule the next meeting once contract work begins.