Agenda - 04-08-2025; 4 - Soccer.com Center Report

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2 June, and again from mid-August until early December. Staff at the Center spend a significant amount of time marking and lining any of 20 different field configurations for the upcoming week's play. In FY 2023-24, 474 reservations were made for field use at the Center, with almost 155,000 total visitors (head count). Field usage fees are examined periodically by comparison with other like facilities and were most-recently adjusted in 2023. After a significant drop in FY 2019-20 and FY 2020-21 revenues due to COVID closure and a return to pre-pandemic levels of activity, the Soccer.com Center generated $205,362 in revenue in FY 2023-24, with expenditures of $238,743 in direct costs ($408,406 if all personnel and other expenses are added). Staff is proposing new revenue generating concepts for FY 2025-26, including charging for tournament parking. The Center also participates in many large tournaments, the biggest of which is the annual Boys and Girls Soccer Showcase events. These two tounaments, now held in early December, attract teams from all over North America and beyond. The Showcase events, which happen at several locations across the Triangle, are an opportunity for top high school players to be seen by collegiate recruiters from all across the country. As such, these two (2) weekend events bring in thousands of players, coaches, parents and others to the facility and the area, generating economic impact well beyond the facility's revenues generated. A recent assessment by the Chapel Hill-Orange County Visitors Bureau of the 2024 College Series Soccer Showcases reflected $2.25 million in direct business sales generated, and $3.3 million in total busines sales (see attached report). The Soccer.com Center is widely considered to have outstanding playing surfaces, but there are limitations both in the number of playing fields and existing infrastructure, and the need for improvements to the facility. After 15 years of intense use, field and irrigation improvements will be needed in the next several years to keep the existing fields in prime condition. Additionally, the planned expansion of the facility would increase playing fields but perhaps more importantly address longstanding issues of additional parking and restrooms, etc. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact to receiving the report. Proposals to upgrade existing facilities and construct a new expansion of the Center exist in the Capital Investment Plan and will be considered in the current and future year budget discussions. Proposals to increase revenues at the facility are also being proposed and pursued. ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: • GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY OBJECTIVE 7. Invest in services and programs that improve the health and quality of life of the community (e.g., recreation and public open spaces, arts, etc.) • GOAL 6: DIVERSE AND VIBRANT ECONOMY OBJECTIVE 1. Provide family-oriented and inclusive programming or other cultural events for residents and visitors. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive and discuss the report, providing feedback to the Manager and staff as desired.