James City County approves new regional sports complex

After a contentious meeting on Tuesday evening, the James City County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to move forward with a new regional sports complex that comes with a nearly $80 million price tag. 

The vote came after a public hearingthat drew people who both opposed and supported the proposal.

Several residents who opposed the project pointed to a large sports complex that opened in Virginia Beach in 2020 but has already cost the city over $1 million in annual losses. Some expressed concerns that the facility could increase traffic and cause overcrowding during major sporting events. Others worried the deal wouldn’t be in the best interest of James City County.

• “This to me comes across as something that doesn’t seem feasible,” resident Bob Lund said. “From what I heard tonight and what I’ve read previously, this does not sound to me like a good deal for James City County.”
• “As now presented, there is neither a sound business case for the overall proposed complex nor a clear picture of its benefits to James City County residents,” resident Patrick Rowe said. “This seems destined to become another case study of a failed stadium arena or sports complex that bleeds taxpayers dry.”

Others urged the board to approve the proposal, arguing that it would provide an important boost for the area and allow residents to access additional gymnasium space. Several speakers said the regional nature of the project makes it possible for the county to enjoy the benefits of a new sports center without having to shoulder all of the costs. 

• Neal Chalkley, president of the Williamsburg Hotel & Motel Association, said the sports facility would be an asset not only for the regional tourism industry but also for residents and families. “I believe there’s no disputing the fact that we’re a tourism-based economy,” Chalkley said. “We have a world-class museum here, Colonial Williamsburg. We have a world-class theme park right down the street that serves James City County. How great would it be for our families to be further blessed with a world-class sports center in our own backyard?”
• Morgan Cordle, the head coach of the James City County-based 757Swim team, argued that sports tourism is more stable than other forms of tourism because it is largely unaffected by economic downturns. She said her organization purchased an aquatic center in the county that has generated “more than 3,000 hotel nights totaling close to $1 million in economic impact across four weekends a year” by bringing in tourists for large-scale competition.

Under the current proposal, the City of Williamsburg will bear the brunt of the $80 million cost for the sports complex. James City County and York County will each contribute $400,000 for the first year and $800,000 per year through years 2-5. Each county will then be responsible for paying between $300,000 to $800,000 per year for the remainder of the 30-year loan.

• Plans for the facility were developed by the Historic Triangle Regional Facilities Authority (HTRFA), which consists of leaders from York County, James City County and the City of Williamsburg. The concept of a regional sports facility has been discussed since 2014.
• According to the latest design concepts drafted by HTRFA, the complex would provide sports amenities and programming for Historic Triangle residents. It would be designed to drive sports tourism to the area and would accommodate national events. The facility would feature 12 basketball courts that could be converted into venues for several other sports. It would also include 24 volleyball and 36 pickleball courts, a rock climbing wall, meeting space and other sports-related amenities.

James City County’s vote on the proposal came just days after Supervisor Jim Icenhour wrote a Virginia Gazette op-ed in which he argued that officials were considering a “rushed approval when we don’t have all the financial data we need to make an informed decision.” Icenhour said that a completed study on the project wasn’t submitted to the Board of Supervisors until Nov. 28, and the board was expected to approve funding just 14 days later so that construction on the project could quickly commence.

• “I have some serious concerns about the project and believe that getting it right is more important than getting it fast,” Icenhour wrote. “The facility will operate at a deficit, but the report concludes that direct and indirect spending by visitors will increase our tax revenues enough to make the project viable. The fiscal analysis does not provide the detail needed to confirm this assertion.”

Icenhour proposed to table the vote on the facility’s approval until the first week in January, but the board shot down his request. 

• Board chair Michael Hipple said he felt “blindsided” by Icenhour’s decision to submit the op-ed just days before the board was scheduled to vote on the project.
• Supervisors Ruth Larson and Sue Sadler expressed similar frustrations, saying they felt the board had been transparent about the project and that the vote was not rushed. 
• “We have talked about this at length for years… it’s up to the public to stay engaged and stay alert,” Saddler said. ” I don’t think we’re rushing this at all.” 
• Saddler added that the funds for the project will come from lodging tax revenue, which by law must be spent on tourism-related items.

Supervisor John McGlennon supported Icenhour’s motion to delay the vote, saying it made sense to take more time to consider the options and make sure the sports complex would be a wise investment.

• “Personally, I think I’d like to know more. We’ve heard a lot of different points of view,” McGlennon said. “To me, the question that I’m really struggling with is, ‘Is this the right priority and does it deliver what we want?'”

Hipple, Larson and Sadler voted to approve the proposal, while McGlennon and Icenhour voted against it. 

• What’s next: The Williamsburg City Council discussed the sports center proposal at a work session on Monday and is expected to vote on the agreement today. York County’s Board of Supervisors is expected to review the topic again before the end of the year.