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Port Wentworth presents $46.2 million amphitheater and dual-ice-rink project as SPLOST 8 funding plan moves forward
Summary
City Manager Steve Davis outlined a $46.2 million amphitheater and twin-ice-rink complex and presented the proposed SPLOST 8 one-cent sales tax (six years) that would fund local and regional projects; the presentation included a detailed financing breakdown and a targeted August 2026 completion date.
City Manager Steve Davis presented project and financing details for a new amphitheater and a dual-ice-rink complex during the City of Port Wentworth council meeting on Sept. 18, 2025. He said roofs and steel framing are complete and described facility features including two NHL-size ice rinks and an amphitheater with 5,200 seats and eight elevated suites.
Davis outlined the $46.2 million project budget: a $9.2 million City investment, a $17 million bond and $20 million in private investment from the Ghost Pirates and Oak View Group. He said the city is targeting completion in August 2026 and listed amenities such as concessions, a bar and grill, pro shop, party rooms, staging and green rooms for performers.
Separately, Davis summarized the proposed SPLOST 8, a one-cent-per-dollar special-purpose local-option sales tax the presentation said would run six years and has an estimated systemwide revenue of $700 million; the presentation listed an election date of Nov. 4, 2025 and a proposed start date of Oct. 1, 2026. Staff noted Port Wentworth’s estimated share at $31.6 million and described a list of potential SPLOST projects including road widenings and roundabouts, water and sewer upgrades, a new aerial fire truck, a new police headquarters and fully funding Mobley Park.
City Attorney Scott Robichaux told the council the bond process has been publicly discussed since 2024 during FY25 budget planning and that the timeline includes a future bond resolution and a judicial bond validation. He also said the Development Authority will own certain projects and that appointments to the authority can be legal even if members later hold council office, provided appointment rules are followed.
The presentation was informational; no binding action on the bond or SPLOST was recorded at the meeting. The next formal steps cited by staff included continued public review and the election process for SPLOST.
