The Wake County Board of Commissioners and Raleigh City Council have approved funding to build a multi-use, indoor sports complex at Cary Towne Center. Both have committed millions to the facility over the next 25 years.
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.”
Raleigh city council approved funding this week.
A plan for the $193 million project includes 12 full-size basketball courts, a 4,000-seat arena, a 25,000-foot multi-purpose space, four full-size locker rooms and a full-service restaurant. The basketball courts can be converted into 20 full-sized volleyball courts.
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.