The facility could be the largest of its kind in Northern Virginia and feature an indoor pool, hydraulic running track, and hard surface court. Construction at 13505 Telegraph Road in Woodbridge, along Interstate 95, is expected to cost more than $100 million.
This article was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partner InsideNoVa.com. Sign up for a free email subscription to InsideNoVa.com today.
The Prince William County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday allocated funding to move forward with a proposed multi-million dollar indoor athletic facility.
The facility could be the largest of its kind in Northern Virginia and feature an indoor pool, hydraulic running track, and hard surface court. Construction at 13505 Telegraph Road in Woodbridge, along Interstate 95, is expected to cost more than $100 million.
The nearly $1 million the board voted to spend will allow the recreation authority to begin discussions with engineering firm MEB General Contractors to flesh out its proposal. This also explains that an agreement has been reached with the property owner of the site, Verno LLC, for further sale negotiations. Acquiring the land parcel could cost the county his $16 million, according to staff documents.
The county will be required to fund the project, but the final price is unknown. The $100 million estimate provided by the developer does not include the cost of land that would need to be purchased to build the facility unless officials look for other sites. The price estimate also doesn’t include a $40 million parking garage that could be needed.
The vote was along party lines, with the board’s Democratic majority Chairwoman Ann Wheeler, Woodbridge Superintendent Margaret Franklin, Occoquan Superintendent Kenny Boddy and Neabsco Superintendent Victor Angry supporting the proposal. supported funding. Coles Supervisor Yesli Vega, Brentsville District Supervisor Janine Lawson and Gainesville Supervisor Bob Weir, all Republicans, voted against it.
Democrats say the facility will be a boon to the growing community and provide youth athletes with a state-of-the-art facility close to home where they can train and compete. Democrats also tout the facility as a potential driver of economic activity. Surrounding area.
“There are other land use cases in this county that are very controversial and people say, ‘Oh, we need to get away from some of those items,'” Woodbridge said. Superintendent Margaret Franklin said. “Well, this is another method you can use if you use it wisely.”
Republicans dismissed the plan as a permanent drain on money that might never pay for itself. They pointed to recent revelations that a similar facility built in Virginia Beach was facing millions of dollars in debt. Virginia Beach officials are currently considering transferring the city property to a potential buyer, according to the Virginia Pilot.
“If you’re portraying this as an opportunity for athletes, which I don’t agree with, let’s make it a sports facility for what it is,” Weir said. “But it would be foolish to sit here and try to portray or pretend that it is the engine of economic development. Experience dictates that.”
Democrats argued that Prince William’s allocation of funds to further study the feasibility of such projects would allow counties to better determine the fiscal impact and how to pay for them.
Prince William’s board earlier held a public comment session to solicit input from residents on the proposal. Those who spoke supported the project, including high school athletes, Olympic track and field gold medalists, local coaches, sports league organizers, and members of the pickleball community. Several public school student-athletes and coaches said they face long travel times to attend track and field events due to the lack of nearby facilities.
The proposal states that the developer intends to meet with Prince William County Public Schools officials and provide opportunities for hosting sporting competitions and events both on weekends and during the week. Other youth sports organizations, such as wrestling and soccer, have also been mentioned as potential users of the facility.
In addition to sports, the complex can also be used for events such as conventions, trade shows, graduation ceremonies and community meetings, the developer said.
The board considered an indoor sports complex as part of the park’s bond referendum program in 2019, but the proposal ultimately died due to cost concerns.