County moves forward with 4.1 million dollar design phase for sports complex, Commissioner Yates address rumors

{Photos: Public Use}

The county-owned sport complex is moving forward, despite continued community objections, after the Davidson County Commissioners approved spending $4.1 million on the design phase for the facility on Monday.

Commissioners also approved a sponsorship plan for the naming rights for the individual buildings and amenities in the park.  Matt Mizell was the only vote opposing the decision to move forward.

The 350-acre project, to be located off N.C. Highway 8 and Owens Road, includes a 52,000 square foot community recreation center and an aquatics center. There will be 10 soccer fields, eight baseball fields, tennis courts, pickleball courts, restrooms, concession stands, a pavilion, playgrounds, a 3K cross country track; a five-acre water park, a camping area/RV park and parking lots. The overall budget for the project is estimated around 65 million.

Representatives with the engineering firm, Providence Partners, said these are preliminary concept plans, which will include traffic, environmental, first responder response and other impact studies. The final construction plans will be voted on by the county commissioners once the concept plan is completed. 

The design phase is estimated to take between six to eight months, with construction lasting approximately one year. The anticipated opening of the park is set for summer of 2027. 

Several members of the community spoke during the public comment period of the commissioners meeting, some in support, but most in opposition of the project, which county officials refer to as the Southmont Community Center. 

“A project of this size and shape doesn’t fit well in Southmont,” said David Chase. “There is a lot to consider before making a quick judgment. There has to be a better location or scale it down from a mini theme park...to more of a community park.” 

Mike Lida said he was disappointed in the lack of communication with property owners near the sports complex, and that there were concerns about the county commissioners pushing forward without taking input from the citizens.  

“Show citizens of Davidson County that you actually care about the impact on us,” said Lida. 

Sammy Antonelli, head soccer coach at Oak Grove High School, spoke in support of the new sports complex, saying he understands the emotions this project has garnered, but it is important to support activities for the youth.  

“We all know there is a growing issue, that the youth have nothing to do in this county,” said Antonelli. “This is the perfect opportunity to give kids something to do, something to be proud of. I understand there are a lot of issues, but we need to think who is this for, it's for the kids.” 

Commissioner Todd Yates, who owns Yates Grading and Paving, addressed the crowd following the public comment period concerning recent rumors on social media indicating that he has some kind of personal or professional interest in the project. He said that he will not profit in any way from this project. 

“I didn’t own land in Southmont. I’m sorry if you think I’m a thief or no good. It's tough to hear how I’ve taken millions of dollars, I have not made one penny...The sports complex is too big for my company (to do the paving), even if I could make a bid,” said Yates. 

Also during the meeting, the county commissioners approved a sponsorship proposal developed by the Davidson County Parks and Recreation Department for naming rights for amenities to be built at the sports complex. 

The sponsorships start at $5 million for the overall naming rights of the sports complex, $1 million for the aquatics center, and $500,000 for the community center for a 10-year period.  

Naming rights for the championship soccer/multipurpose field will be $75,000, and $50,000 for the championship baseball field. The lesser soccer and baseball fields are $10,000.  

Other sponsorship levels include $50,000 for the campground, $15,000 for the pavilion over a five-year period. Also $10,000 for the two disc golf courses and the four pickleball courts and $5,000 for the two tennis courts and the cross-country track.