Board approves more than $55 million for new Cary Indoor Sports Complex

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A future multi-use indoor sports complex planned for Cary Towne Center is one step closer to reality, thanks to action taken this week by the Wake County Board of Commissioners at its regular meeting.

The board voted unanimously to spend up to $2.36 million per year for 25 years to fund construction of the 100,000-square-foot facility.

These funds would come from revenue generated by county taxes on overnight stays in local hotels and food and drinks purchased at local restaurants.

“The hospitality tax would provide about $35 million of the project’s estimated $193 million cost,” said Wake County Commissioner Susan Evans. “This would be money well spent, because we don’t have anything like this facility in the county now, and I’m very excited about the new opportunities it would provide. The location is ideal.”

The Town of Cary would build, operate and manage the complex with additional financing coming from limited obligation bonds and corporate partners.

Plans for the complex include:

  • 25,000 square feet of multi-purpose space
  • 12 full-sized basketball courts (could convert to 20 full-sized volleyball courts)
  • Arena seating for 4,000
  • Esports amenities
  • Full-service restaurant
  • Elevated walkway
  • Childcare space
  • Weight room, workout space and walking track

The facility would focus on drawing highly competitive tournaments and activities that would attract regional and national participants and drive overnight visitation to Wake County.

In 1991, Wake County was authorized by N.C. law to levy a room and occupancy tax and prepared food and beverage tax for the purpose of supporting arts, culture, sports and convention facilities.

The funds are governed through inter-local agreements between the Wake County Board of Commissioners and the Raleigh City Council. In October 2019, they released an RFP, asking for proposals to compete for multi-use indoor sports complex project funding.

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