Indian Trail officials preview three community‑center concepts, including theater and aquatics options

The Indian Trail Town Council heard a detailed presentation on three design concepts for a proposed multigenerational community center, with consultants estimating conceptual costs between about $30 million and $43 million and projecting different operating‑cost profiles for each option.

Director Kramer, who said the process has been shaped by more than 2,000 resident survey responses and ongoing engagement, framed the presentation as the next step in turning the town’s park-and-recreation master plan into concrete choices. “This is not a plan driven by the parks department or a consultant — it’s the 45,000 residents of Indian Trail that have put their take on this,” he said.

Consultant Nilay Bhatt (Next Practice Partners) told council the statistically reliable survey shows a multigenerational community center as the top unmet priority in Indian Trail. “This represents the true priority investment rating of what’s important and what’s an unmet need,” Bhatt said, noting the survey methodology asked whether residents consider an amenity important, whether they need it and whether that need is met.

Landscape architect Nick (McAdams) outlined three concepts: a core community center focused on fitness, multipurpose rooms and gym space (concept 1, roughly 58,600 square feet, concept estimate about $30 million); a core plus a 350–400‑seat performing‑arts theater (concept 2, about 79,000 square feet, estimate about $40 million); and a core plus indoor aquatics (concept 3, about 80,000 square feet, estimate about $43 million). Nick described site layout, parking and stormwater measures and said aquatics increases both construction and ongoing operating costs.

Bhatt addressed operating models and cost‑recovery assumptions, citing guidance from the National Recreation and Park Association and comparable projects. He said many centers recover 30–40% of operating costs and that the team’s baseline projections aim to be conservative on revenues and cautious on expenses; he warned that aquatics typically raises baseline operating costs significantly.

Council members pressed staff on funding, staffing and site impacts. Councilmember Todd Barber asked how the town would pay and noted competing priorities such as roads and public safety; he also reiterated the town already has a funded soccer‑field project on the same parcel and worried the concepts would eliminate that field. Director Kramer and the consultants said phasing and alternate site options could be discussed and recommended deeper, one‑on‑one budget conversations to explore funding scenarios, including but not limited to bond referenda.

Public commenters at the meeting urged the council to prioritize performing‑arts space and multipurpose facilities. A number of speakers representing Lanti Performing Arts, the Indian Trail Art League and local parents and coaches said a theater (option 2) would support arts education, bring regional audiences and benefit local businesses. "We need a performing‑arts venue; it creates customers and community connection," said a Lanti representative.

Next steps: staff and the consultants will email concept materials to council members for review and plan to return in June with a refined concept, further detail on potential funding mechanisms and additional cost and operating assumptions.

Reporters’ note: cost figures and square‑foot estimates cited above were presented by the project consultants during the meeting.