The Jefferson City Council is considering how it can help fund a four-court multipurpose facility being pursued by the Parks and Recreation Commission and Lincoln University.
At the City Council meeting Monday, Bill Lockwood, director of the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department, presented a plan for a facility with four basketball courts, an elevated walking track, a basement, common areas, student fitness center and office space that is at least $1.5 million above the identified budget for the project.
Between Lincoln University and parks, $10.1 million is available for the collaborative project. Within the existing budget, the two entities can afford a three-court facility, but Parks and Recreation Commission members have said they would prefer to see a four-court facility that could attract outside tournaments.
In October, the commission authorized department staff to pursue a potential collaboration with Lincoln University on a proposed multipurpose building. If the partnership is pursued, the facility would operate as both a multipurpose facility and a student recreational facility on Lafayette Street.
Lockwood made the presentation at the request of Mayor Eric Struemph after a joint commission and council meeting in early December, where several city officials indicated a willingness to consider using the city's lodging tax, previously earmarked for a conference center, as additional funds for the project. With additional funds, council members said they would hope to build a larger facility capable of attracting tournaments to the area.
The lodging tax fund is expected to raise roughly $9 million for the promotion of tourism in the area; it currently has about $2 million in the bank.
But Lockwood said he also has been meeting with other members of city staff and City Administrator Steve Crowell to discuss other potential city funding sources that could be used for the project and would not require use of the lodging tax funds.
"We certainly would like and would appreciate your support to make this happen," Lockwood said.
Crowell said they've discussed possible loan options or extending a line of credit for the department to use on the project if needed. A special council meeting will be scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday to discuss funding options for the multipurpose building.
At the early December meeting, the mayor and other council members also requested a look at what the economic impact of attracting additional sports tourism events would have on the area.
Diane Gillespie, executive director of the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau, said based on surveys sent to local sport event organizers, the CVB estimated a four-court facility would bring in about $4.4 million of additional dollars in direct spending in the first year of operation. She said the CVB's sports sales manager, who is dedicated to bringing sports events to the area, would be able to attract 10 more events, bringing another $2.7 million in direct spending in the first year of operation.
Gillespie said the city also would see increases in lodging tax funds and all three city sales tax categories, as well as county sales taxes.
"I'm ready to applaud," joked 3rd Ward Councilman Bob Scrivner after Gillespie spoke to the council.
The commission is trying to move forward as quickly as possible with the project to meet an LU-imposed deadline.
University officials have made it clear they need a final decision on the potential partnership by the end of the month in order to get moving on a project already promised to current students.
"They are anxious to get an answer," Lockwood said.