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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: October 9, 2007 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. (~ - c~ <br />SUBJECT: West Ten Soccer Center Public/Private Partnersh <br />DEPARTMENT: Recreation and Parks <br />PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Lori Taft, 245-2660 <br />PURPOSE: To provide the opportunity for the Board to discuss a proposal for sponsorship of the <br />West Ten Soccer Center by Sports Endeavors, Inc. <br />BACKGROUND: In 2006 and 2007, the Board had opportunities to consider the idea of developing <br />a partnership with private entities which would serve to assist with needed funding to develop and <br />operate soccer facilities and in which a facility could possibly be named so as to honor this <br />partnership. The Board authorized County representatives to continue to meet with Sports <br />Endeavors and others to pursue this concept. Recently, Sports Endeavors has confirmed details of <br />an offer for a partnership. <br />Sports Endeavors has agreed to a sponsorship contribution of $150,000. In addition the company <br />has offered up to $150,000 more to match other sponsorships from the community. In exchange, <br />Sports Endeavors asks that the Soccer Center bear the name "Eurosport Soccer Center" for a <br />period of five (5) years. Eurosport is a subsidiary of Sports Endeavors. At the end of this period, <br />Sports Endeavors requests the right of first refusal for potential renewal of the partnership. <br />Associated items such as signage, marketing references, indemnification, etc. are all details <br />remaining to be discussed and included in a legal document. <br />By way of comparison, the SAS Soccer Park in Cary, managed by the Department of Parks and <br />Recreation, is at the end of a three-year naming agreement with SAS Institute. This three-year <br />agreement for $150,000 per year was renewed once. Currently, negotiations are underway for a <br />$300,000 per year contract with Wake Med. This facility is host to minor league sports teams, <br />National Collegiate Championships and other high visibility events. <br />Soccer complexes in Wake Forest and elsewhere have naming contracts with banking institutions <br />and other sponsors, but the amounts are generally undisclosed as these facilities are privately <br />owned. <br />Smaller partnerships for individual field naming rights could potentially be solicited once zoning <br />regulations for signage are reviewed. Presently, the sign regulations for the Economic <br />Development District (EDD) zoning district permit only project identification and directional signs <br />totaling 200 square feet. "Outdoor advertising signs, billboards and portable signs are prohibited <br />