Election Day: Some Report it's Too Late for Sportsplex but Looms Over the Election
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A project already underway
For many Davidson County voters heading to the polls Tuesday, the Southmont Sportsplex feels settled. Contracts have been awarded and construction has begun. What remains on the ballot, several commissioner candidates say, is how closely the next board will watch the money.
Commissioners voted 3-2 in March to award construction contracts for the $61 million complex, which is planned to include soccer and baseball fields, indoor gyms, pools and walking trails. Two commissioners who backed the project, Chairwoman Karen Watford and Steve Shell, lost their seats in the March Republican primary. They voted to move it forward again the following week.
Opposition has been organized. A Southmont resident told commissioners in March that more than 1,200 people had signed a petition against the project, and that a Facebook group had formed to oppose it.
In responses gathered by Sidney Briggs, candidates were asked whether they would prioritize projects such as the sports complex and, if not, how they would use the funding. Six candidates responded: Felicia Dreher, Tonya Lanier, Matt Mizell, Dexter Short, Chuck Slipetsky and Andrea Tate.
What the candidates said in a Davidson Local Survey
"Where we are today." Incumbent Matt Mizell, a Republican, said he would not have prioritized the full $65 million project. He said he was one of three commissioners who voted against the appropriation in March 2025, after conversations with residents and his late colleague, Commissioner Fred McClure. Mizell said the commissioners missed an opportunity to end an unpopular public project without a major loss to the county.
Mizell said that in March 2026, he and Commissioner Tripp Kester asked the board to pause the project until the new board is seated in December. He said that motion failed 4-2.
"Construction is underway and contracts have been awarded," Mizell said. He said it would be misleading to suggest the money could simply be moved, and that such a move "could end up costing more than the actual project." He said the board's job now is greater transparency and oversight. "While this is not where I would have prioritized all of these funds originally, I want the project to ultimately succeed for our citizens."
Oversight over reversal. Democrat Andrea Tate said she would not treat the complex as a simple yes-or-no question. Because the project is already under construction, she said, she would review remaining costs, operating expenses, revenue expectations and future funding requests. "My approach would be to ask questions, review the numbers, and make the decision in an open and accountable way," Tate said.
Felicia Dreher, a candidate for the unexpired term, said she "would not promise to redirect the entire sportsplex budget to other programs," noting that awarded contracts carry legal and financial obligations. She said she would review the full financial picture and push for public financial reports. "Taxpayers deserve to know what their money is funding," Dreher said.
Firm opposition. Republican Dexter Short said he has openly opposed the complex. "It is in the wrong place, with inadequate roads and infrastructure and at an unreasonable cost," he said. Short said the money could have gone toward a new jail or replacing mobile classrooms he called unsafe. "I think it will become an expensive burden on the county for years to come."
Changing how decisions are made. Democrat Tonya Lanier said the complex would not be near the top of her priority list, nor would an expanded jail. She proposed a citizen-driven needs assessment that could shape a 10- or 20-year county plan. She said she would direct funding toward school buildings, family support services, the unhoused, veterans, the elderly and public transportation.
Democrat Chuck Slipetsky, a candidate for the unexpired term, said he has no problem with the concept of a sports complex but that the county needs a plan. He said a 2009 county plan he obtained stresses clean air and water and makes no mention of a sportsplex. Slipetsky proposed that spending of millions of dollars on a project require voter approval by referendum. "The current board seems to think they know what is best for us," he said. "I don't know about you, but I don't need parents."
The case for the complex
Supporters say the facility fills a long-standing gap in recreation space for young people. Watford has described it as a year-round investment for all citizens and school students. Former chairman Todd Yates has argued it would keep youth occupied and reduce the risk of crime and drug abuse.
County Parks and Recreation Director Thomas Marshburn has said the idea originated in resident surveys dating to 2005. He has also said the money was set aside before the county's recent property revaluation, and that much of it came from federal COVID-19 relief funds. Youth coaches have told commissioners that field shortages are forcing teams to turn away players.
On the ballot
Six candidates are running for four full-term seats on the Board of Commissioners: Republicans Robbie Beasley, Dwight Cornelison, Matt Mizell and Dexter Short, and Democrats Tonya Lanier and Andrea Tate. Three are running for an unexpired term: appointed Republican Steve Shook, Democrat Chuck Slipetsky and Felicia Dreher.
Beasley, Cornelison and Shook were not among the responses gathered for this story. During the primary, Cornelison pledged to vote to defund the Sportsplex.
Candidate responses were gathered by Sidney Briggs.
