Project Update

Summer 2024 Update: The project has been identified as a potential bond project for the 2024 proposed bond referendum. For more information on the bond referendum visit carybonds.org

Spring 2024 Update: This project was discussed with Town Council who are now working to determine next steps based on feedback that was received. 

Overview

The South Hills Sports and Community Recreation Center is proposed to be a highly multi-functional community facility serving all ages and abilities. The project is also proposed to host a variety of sporting events that would continue Cary’s track-record as a destination for sports tourism while also being able to serve as a community facility. The project is envisioned as part of the South Hills District redevelopment. Proposed to be located at the southeast corner of Buck Jones Road and Nottingham Drive the 170,000 sqft building would site on 6.5 acres. The purpose of the new facility would be to serve as a community recreation center able host youth, collegiate, and amateur sporting events that would continue Cary’s track-record as a destination for sports tourism while also being able to serve as the needs of the community. The proposed building program is proposed to include:

• Community Lobby
• Senior Center with Active Living Lounge, Teaching and Catering Kitchen, and Multipurpose Rooms
• Classrooms
• Esports/Tech-Suite
• Group Exercise Rooms
• Indoor and Outdoor Fitness Areas
• Adventure Track
• Child Watch
• Outdoor Gathering and Play Areas
• Indoor/Outdoor Event Space
• Multi-use Athletic Courts with multiple configurations:
  • 8 High School Basketball Courts
  • 8 Middle School Basketball Courts
  • 15 Volleyball Courts
  • 21 Pickleball Courts
  • 1 LED Courts
• Grandstand
• Concessions
• Merchandise Store
• Ticketing Office
• Tournament Operations
• Player and Officials Locker Rooms

In 2018, Wake County completed the Destination Strategic Plan (DSP), which assessed the current sports facilities within the county and identified ways to strengthen the county’s competitive position as a sports tourism destination to host more large-scale sporting events and tournaments for the county. The plan found that a missing element of the countywide sports complex model is an indoor, multiuse sports facility that will balance with the county’s inventory of outdoor sports fields and venues. The DSP suggests the need to develop a sports complex to support countywide sports tourism and travel and to attain Wake county’s long-term goals. In 2018, the Convention & Visitor’s Bureau completed the Wake County Destination Strategic Plan, which assessed the current destination facilities within the county and identified ways to strengthen the county’s competitive position as a sports tourism destination. The Plan’s top priority included a recommendation to construct an indoor multi-use sports facility. In October 2019, Wake County released a Request for Proposals (RFP) soliciting qualifications from Wake County Municipalities interested in competing for project funding for the purpose of assisting in the development of a multipurpose indoor community sports complex in their area of the county.  In January 2020, Cary submitted this project for consideration in line with the 2012 PRCR Master Plan goal to seek Wake County Hotel Occupancy Tax funding to support high quality, competitive venues to contribute to the regional economy.

Cary was selected to receive $75 million in grant funding for the construction of the sports and community recreation center. 

Project Schedule and Funding

If the 2024 bonds are approved, a project schedule of about 5-7 years will be finalized to include, as needed: land acquisition, master planning, design, bidding, construction, and opening.

Public Engagement

To ensure Cary’s current and future facilities serve as extraordinary public spaces a community center survey and public meetings were conducted to gather input from the community.

View the results of our Community Center Survey 

Watch the Public Meeting #1: January 25, 2023

Resources

Read the Wake County Destination Strategic Plan that lays out sports and other tourism needs as well as guides funding from the hotel occupancy tax.

Contact

Cassie Schumacher-Georgopoulos, AICP, ASLA
Director Community Projects
Cassie.Schumacher-Georgopoulos@carync.gov