Consultant pitches 150–180-acre sports complex to Flagler County tourism board

Jason Boudre, owner of Synergy Sports, outlined a public-private plan on April 23 to build what he described as a regionally marketed sports complex west of the Loop Road and Matanzas Woods Parkway in Flagler County. Boudre told the Flagler County Tourist Development Council the conceptual site covers roughly 150–180 acres and would be built in phases so fields could open before the stadium and indoor components.

"We're not a developer. We're not a contractor. We're not an architect or an engineer," Boudre said, describing Synergy's role as a project developer and operator broker. He said the mix of assets recommended by multiple feasibility studies centers on flat turf fields and an indoor component because the data showed that combination produced a financially sustainable model.

Boudre presented a site plan that calls for about 20 flat fields (16 turf, 4 grass), lighting, bleachers and a stadium with roughly 3,000 seats; an indoor facility of roughly 100,000 square feet with 10–12 courts (convertible to volleyball, track, pickleball) for tournaments and community use; and parking for about 3,000 cars. He said subleaseable spaces (physical therapy, food and beverage) and naming rights would help close operating gaps and that a reserve fund of approximately $3 million would cover early shortfalls. "Typically, we're going to allocate 50% of the time of these facilities to be used by the public," Boudre said.

Council members pressed for details about location, timing and revenue assumptions. Dan Mudrin, general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn, asked where the acreage is located; Boudre pointed to the Loop Road conceptual site and said the complex would be west and south of the Matanzas Woods Parkway roundabout. On timing, Boudre said the earliest predevelopment work would take six months, site work another six months and construction the next 18–24 months, with the first group of fields potentially online in about 18 months after approvals.

Boudre described funding options for the project — municipal bonds, capital-improvement budgeting, private development or a public-private partnership (P3) — and recommended a P3 lease structure that would limit the county's bond exposure and rely on private capital, an operator to run day-to-day activities, and revenue streams from tournaments, naming rights and sponsorships.

Council members and members of the public welcomed the concept as a local tourism and community asset but asked for comparisons to realized economic outcomes at similar facilities. Commissioner Eric Cooley asked staff to compile realized economic-impact data from comparable facilities and operators. Boudre said operating partners have sometimes outperformed their pro forma estimates and offered to provide detailed operating comparisons.

The presentation closed with public comment from local sports stakeholders, including Tiffany Wigan of Florida Elite Soccer Academy, who said the region could attract more teams and tournaments with higher-quality fields. The council did not vote on the project; staff said Synergy will coordinate next steps with county staff and the county commission, including drafting a predevelopment agreement and a funding memorandum of understanding for future consideration.