Commissioners approve license agreement, set aside TDT funds for World Masters improvements at West End

Steven Rodriguez, representing the World Masters local organizing committee, updated the Board on international outreach, hotel bookings and expected athlete participation for the 2025 World Masters Indoor Championships. Rodriguez said the committee has formed a nonprofit organizing body and is seeing strong interest from European and domestic athletes, hotel stays averaging seven nights, and active marketing following shows in Poland and the U.S.

Commissioner Cornell and others pressed for clarity about capital improvements at West End, asking whether state appropriations (a reported $2.75 million request) include earmarks for an outdoor venue and how county funds would be used. County staff and Rodriguez said the state appropriation had not been finalized and that any use of state funds would be governed by the state agreement; county staff recommended setting aside up to $645,000 from tourist development tax reserves to cover necessary expenditures at West End not covered by the state appropriation.

Commissioners sought protections to ensure improvements function both for the event and as long‑term public infrastructure. Questions focused on irrigation (staff said temporary, removable irrigation and zoned shutoffs are feasible), whether installed improvements would remain on site after the license term (termination provisions and license language require many improvements to remain), and opportunities for neighborhood engagement on preliminary designs. County attorneys and staff said the licensee will not be able to demolish or alter certain existing features without county approval and that the termination clause clarifies handling of improvements at the license end.

The board voted to: (1) authorize the manager to execute a license agreement for West End with the local organizing committee, contingent on property purchase; (2) set aside not to exceed $645,000 from tourist development tax reserves for necessary West End expenditures (use would require future board approval); and (3) direct staff to return with a detailed plan no later than September and continue community engagement with West End neighbors and stakeholders.

Next steps: staff will work with the organizing committee to finalize budgets and designs once state funding is confirmed and return to the board with a site plan and budget allocations for review and approval.