Overview

Nestled in the heart of the redeveloping South Hills district, the Sports & Recreation Community Center is envisioned as a testament to the power of community. Centrally located and promising not just facilities, but experiences and programming that bring people together, this center is designed to replace the aging Herb Young Community Center, which opened in 1991.

Planned features would include a 70,000-square-foot community center with amenities for seniors, an esports center equipped with gaming stations and streaming facilities, and an 80,000-square-foot sports center with 8 multi-purpose courts.

If approved, this center would be one of two new community centers, the first in over 20 years.

Project Scope

To meet the community needs and interests, the multi-purpose facility is proposed to include:*

• Community Center: A 70,000 sq. ft. community and recreation center that offers fitness, recreation, education, and community gathering amenities for the area residents. It would be designed as a multi-generational center. Multi-purpose, multi-generational community centers provide a wide range of facilities, activities, and programs that cater to the needs and interests of people of all ages and backgrounds.
• Sports Center: 8 multi-purpose courts (high school-sized basketball courts) (80,000 sq. ft.): A multi-court fieldhouse venue for basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and other indoor sports that would accommodate local recreation play and youth and amateur sports tournaments.
• Senior center spaces including multipurpose classrooms and lounge, and access to the catering kitchen
• Esports: An esports center with gaming stations and streaming amenities would be included within the community center.
• Catering kitchen
• Adventure walking track
• Multi-use classrooms and offices
• Child watch
• Aerobic spaces
• Fitness and weights
• Locker rooms with showers and restrooms
• Sustainability infrastructure
• Public art
• Structured parking
• Outdoor program spaces

*Proposed plans still in progress and subject to change following additional citizen engagement if the bonds are approved.

Anticipated Project Schedule if Funded

About 5-7 years once funding is allocated, including master planning, design, bidding, construction, and opening.

Project History

The 2012 PRCR Master Plan outlines action plans to convert former commercial spaces into community centers, with the Center slated for inclusion in the redevelopment of South Hills Mall. The aging commercial center is set to transform into a vibrant mixed-use district, with the Center serving as a focal point.

In 2018, the Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau completed the Wake County Destination Strategic Plan. The Plan’s top priority included a recommendation to construct an indoor multi-use sports facility. In October 2019, Wake County awarded Cary $75 million in Wake County Hospitality Tax funding towards the construction of the recreation and sports center.

By the Spring of 2022, the Town reembarked on the planning for both community centers. The Town reached a tentative agreement with developers to locate the project as part of the redevelopment of South Hills. By June of 2022, the Town had hired a design team including Populous out of Kansas City and local firm of Davis-Kane Architects to develop the current Concept Plan.

Potential Economic Impact

If approved, the community center would be expected to generate:

• $15.5 million in direct spending annually, primarily from non-local attendees attracted to sports tournaments and events.
• $26.1 million in total economic output
• 300+ full-time and part-time jobs
• 21,300 hotel room nights annually
• $700,000+ in county tax revenue each year

For more details, please review the complete Economic Impact Analysis. 

ROI studies are estimates based on current knowledge and assumptions and should not be interpreted as guarantees. Further ROI and fees and charges studies will be conducted if the bond is passed, and the projects move forward.

Tax Implications

Approval of $590 million in general obligation debt would raise Cary’s property tax rate by 9 cents. This increase occurs upon debt issuance and goes towards repayment. The tentative plan, subject to change, is 3 cents in 2026, another 3 in 2028, and an additional 3 in 2030. 

Note, this increase would not cover the operating costs of the proposed new facility. If approved, those costs would be determined through master planning and likely funded by additional property tax increases.