HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-09-2007-6dORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 9, 2007
Action Agenda
Item No. (~ - c~
SUBJECT: West Ten Soccer Center Public/Private Partnersh
DEPARTMENT: Recreation and Parks
PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lori Taft, 245-2660
PURPOSE: To provide the opportunity for the Board to discuss a proposal for sponsorship of the
West Ten Soccer Center by Sports Endeavors, Inc.
BACKGROUND: In 2006 and 2007, the Board had opportunities to consider the idea of developing
a partnership with private entities which would serve to assist with needed funding to develop and
operate soccer facilities and in which a facility could possibly be named so as to honor this
partnership. The Board authorized County representatives to continue to meet with Sports
Endeavors and others to pursue this concept. Recently, Sports Endeavors has confirmed details of
an offer for a partnership.
Sports Endeavors has agreed to a sponsorship contribution of $150,000. In addition the company
has offered up to $150,000 more to match other sponsorships from the community. In exchange,
Sports Endeavors asks that the Soccer Center bear the name "Eurosport Soccer Center" for a
period of five (5) years. Eurosport is a subsidiary of Sports Endeavors. At the end of this period,
Sports Endeavors requests the right of first refusal for potential renewal of the partnership.
Associated items such as signage, marketing references, indemnification, etc. are all details
remaining to be discussed and included in a legal document.
By way of comparison, the SAS Soccer Park in Cary, managed by the Department of Parks and
Recreation, is at the end of a three-year naming agreement with SAS Institute. This three-year
agreement for $150,000 per year was renewed once. Currently, negotiations are underway for a
$300,000 per year contract with Wake Med. This facility is host to minor league sports teams,
National Collegiate Championships and other high visibility events.
Soccer complexes in Wake Forest and elsewhere have naming contracts with banking institutions
and other sponsors, but the amounts are generally undisclosed as these facilities are privately
owned.
Smaller partnerships for individual field naming rights could potentially be solicited once zoning
regulations for signage are reviewed. Presently, the sign regulations for the Economic
Development District (EDD) zoning district permit only project identification and directional signs
totaling 200 square feet. "Outdoor advertising signs, billboards and portable signs are prohibited
-.
as are inflatable signs" is presently the guidance within the EDD design manual. This can be
modified by a zoning text change to the manual. County staff will be evaluating alternatives.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: A .minimum of $150,000 would be contributed to the development and/or
operation of the soccer center, with the potential for $300,000 in additional funds pending any
actions related to the zoning provisions and securing additional partners.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board authorize staff to negotiate
and return with a proposed agreement for review by the Board.