Davidson County Commissioners Weigh Scaling Back $65 Million Southmont Sports Complex

The Davidson County Board of Commissioners had a discussion on possibly scaling down the $65 million sports complex/community center slated for construction in Southmont during their informational meeting on Thursday morning. 

Commissioner Matt Mizell said he wanted the board to consider amending the plans to include an alternative concept which would reduce the number of ballfields, swimming pools or other amenities to lessen the impact on the surrounding community. He said this would not be a replacement to the original plan, but an alternative to be considered. 

“Given the concerns raised by the citizens, as well as other priorities in the county, my ask for this alternative is that we scale it back from the original,” said Mizell. “The big components are deemphasizing the sportsplex piece to attract regional teams and competitions and instead keep it more of a community focused park that can still offer a lot of the amenities and still have a positive impact on the quality of life.” 

Currently the plans for the sports complex, which is to be located on 350-acres off of N.C. Highway 8 and Owens Road,  include 10 soccer fields and eight baseball fields, an outdoor water park, an aquatics center, indoor basketball courts, tennis and pickleball facilities, as well as camping and other amenities.  

Mizell added that a “difference of opinion does not equate to indifference of intention”, and that he feels everyone on the board wanted what was best for the community, even if they didn’t agree on the scope of the project. 

Tripp Kester said he supported the idea of adding an alternative plan because he feels there are other needs in the county and that he had wanted to give the citizens more time to give their opinions before the board voted to approve the project. 

"Learning more about the needs of the community and the county; the jail, the pay for first responders, schools and a lot of the more pressing needs made me realize I am glad I voted against this. I am in favor of some type of sportsplex to bring revenue into this county, but not at the expense of shortchanging any of the needs we have for other things,” said Kester. 

Chairman Todd Yates said he feels the sports complex in its current form would help keep the youth in the area occupied, reducing the risk of crime or drug abuse. He added that he feels the county commissioners have been good stewards of the taxpayer's money, and they have supported the needs of the community including expanding infrastructure, economic development, building and renovating schools, increasing pay for employees including first responders and teacher supplements, while keeping the tax rate at a low rate. 

Yate said there has also been a lot of misinformation spread on social media about the project, especially about his personal involvement. He stated he is not financially benefiting from this project, nor is it a pet project of his. 

“This is not my legacy,” said Yates. “It the children’s legacy is what this is going to be.” 

Commissioner Karen Watford said she supports the sportsplex in its current design because it will provide recreational opportunities for citizens as well as provide amenities for local and travel teams. She said she understands the objections of some of members of the community but feels the park will be a positive addition in the future. 

“Making a decision that is different from your opinion does not mean that we are against you and not listening to you because we are,” said Watford. 

Commissioner Steve Shell did not support the proposal for a scaled back alternative plan stating that, as commissioners, they owed it to the citizens to do the project to the best of their abilities.  

“Many people are for prosperity but (they) say don’t put it in my backyard. If we are not going to do this right, we don’t need to do it...I want what is best for this county just like you do. Just because we disagree on something don’t mean we’re bad guys or your bad guys,” said Shell. 

Yates said the county has already spent millions on the architectural plans for the project, and that adding a parallel plan would incur additional cost. In June, the commissioners approved spending $4.1 million on the design phase for the facility.  

The meeting ended without a resolution to include an alternative option to the planned sports complex in Southmont. Commissioners Fred McClure and Chris Elliott were not present at the meeting.