Greenville city council supports sportsplex project 01-04-2011

THE GREENVILLE CITY COUNCIL APPROVES A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A $20 MILLION DELTA SPORTSPLEX PROJECT ADJACENT TO THE WASHINGTON COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER. THREE MEMBERS OF THE SPORTSPLEX FOUNDATION BOARD ADDRESSED THE CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY NIGHT IN THE HOPES OF SECURING A RESOLUTION FOR SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT ALONG WITH A PROPOSED TWO PERCENT HOTEL TAX. THE PROJECT IS DESIGNED TO BE CONSTRUCTED ON NEARLY 100 ACRES OF COUNTY PROPERTY NEXT TO THE WASHINGTON COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER. THE COMPLEX WILL FEATURE MANY BASEBALL DIAMONDS, SOCCER FIELDS, A CONCESSION BUILDING AS WELL AS AN EDUCATION CENTER. PROJECTED SALES TAX REVENUE TO THE CITY FROM VISITING TEAMS AND FAMILIES COULD TOP OVER $500,000 ANNUALLY. HOWEVER, SEVERAL COUNCIL MEMBERS EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT SUCH A FACILITY COULD HURT THE CITY'S PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAM. A MOTION FOR AN ADDITIONAL ONE PERCENT TAX WAS OFFERED WHICH WOULD HAVE MADE THE HOTEL TAX A THREE PERCENT TAX. HOWEVER, THE MOTION DIED FOR A LACK OF A SECOND. THE RESOLUTION APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL MIRRORS THE ONE SUPPORTED BY THE WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS