Allegany County outlines $3.5–4 million plan to finish Willowbrook Outdoor Wellness complex

County staff on Tuesday presented a plan to build out the Willowbrook Outdoor Wellness complex, a proposed multi-field recreational facility on land donated by Allegany College, and asked the Board of Commissioners how aggressively to pursue additional funding.

An unnamed presenter told commissioners the county has secured up to $1,800,000 in Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) funding but must provide a 100% match. "We currently have up to $1,800,000 in funding from Land and Water Conservation Fund," the presenter said. The county has leveraged about $1,200,000 to date and roughly $225,000 from Program Open Space, the presenter added, and the college's land donation leverages about another $1,000,000 in construction funding.

The presenter estimated phase 2—a base build that would make the site fully usable—would cost roughly $3.5 million, with a full build-out (additional entrance lighting, another pavilion, playground, scoreboard) possibly raising costs closer to $4.0 million. "Our total project cost at this point would be estimated to be somewhere between 3 and a half and 4,000,000," the presenter said. That leaves an approximate funding gap in the neighborhood of $1,700,000, which staff said could be filled through additional cash, in-kind services, county construction work, sponsorships or state capital support.

The phase 2 base scope described by staff includes an artificial turf field for football and soccer, two adjacent natural grass fields, stadium lighting, bleachers and team benches, perimeter fencing, expanded parking, and a restroom and storage building to support larger events. Staff said a project bid placed now would likely be in the $3.5 million range, though prices for turf and lighting are variable.

County staff recommended pursuing a mix of approaches to close the gap: use in-house engineering and some county construction services (hauling, grading), explore water and sewer connections with the City of Cumberland, seek sponsorships for components such as lights or bleachers, and request capital assistance from the county's state delegation. The presenter said LWCF money would not be available until next fall and that a delegation request should be prepared now.

Commissioners agreed to ask staff to prepare low and high cost scenarios and a phased funding plan tailored for a delegation capital request, and to identify which state contacts and materials are needed. Speakers also discussed operations and maintenance arrangements: county summer helpers and Allegany College students assisting with mowing, the City of Cumberland plowing, and campus security closing gates at night. Staff proposed forming a committee to manage scheduling and shared use.

Commissioners and staff emphasized the project's potential to attract tournaments and travel teams, boosting local usage and economic activity. No formal vote occurred; staff were directed to prepare numbers and next steps for the board to consider at a future meeting.

The presentation and discussion spanned the Willowbrook project maps and funding worksheets provided to the board; commissioners closed the item by thanking staff and signaling support for moving the proposal forward.