Byram staff present $11.5 million estimate for new soccer complex; board to seek bids and sponsors

Staff and board members discussed a proposed soccer complex and surrounding park during the work session, with the project lead presenting site plans, amenity locations and a preliminary budget.

Ron, the project presenter, told the board the design includes four playing fields, a single 6‑foot deep wet detention basin (replacing an earlier three‑lake option because of nearby wetlands), a concession building, a maintenance building and room for a two‑court gymnasium. He said the plan also includes nature trails, a centrally located splash pad, grilling areas and perimeter fencing around the fields. “We went to a 1 pond option … we made it a 6 foot deep basin,” Ron said while showing grading and layout details.

On cost, Ron presented an all‑in construction estimate of about $11.5 million, which includes a roughly 10% contingency. He described a set of bid packages and deductions that could reduce the immediate bid to about $8.5 million if the board chose to remove optional items. “When you take that down, that comes down another $2.02 or 300,000 … you’re gonna be closer to 8,000,000,” Ron said. He also noted the board already has bond authorization around $9.5 million tied to the city’s 2% restaurant tax, which is the baseline financing assumed for the project.

Board members raised access and neighborhood concerns. Residents and one board member questioned emergency‑gate locations adjacent to Magnolia Bluff and whether gates should be open to public access or locked for resident privacy; Ron said vehicular access would be limited to emergency services and maintenance, while a pedestrian gate could permit controlled walk‑through access.

The board discussed sponsorship and naming‑rights strategies to close a projected shortfall for the full set of amenities. One member urged pursuing field and title sponsors and selling naming rights to help raise the $2–$2.7 million gap between the bond cap and the wish list. “I think we sell the name of the field to the highest bidder,” a board member said during the discussion.

Ron outlined procurement and scheduling steps: the project advertisement dates, a pre‑bid meeting and bid receipt timeline, final bond term sheets in early June and the plan to award a contract around June 12 so a notice to proceed could be issued after the July 4 holiday. He estimated construction would take about 12 months once under way. Ron said staff will email detailed budgets, package options and schedule documents to the board for follow up.

Next steps: staff will publish procurement documents as scheduled, return to the board with bid analysis and pursue sponsorship/marketing materials to seek outside funding if the bids leave a remaining shortfall.