Agenda Item # 3

Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting

08/27/13

Agenda Report # 19


TO: Mayor and Council

SUBJECT: Agreement with Columbus Regional Tennis Association (CORTA), Columbus State University (CSU) and the City of Columbus (City) concerning the expansion of Cooper Creek Tennis Center.

INITIATED BY: Parks and Recreation

Recommendation: Approval is requested to enter into an agreement with CORTA and CSU for the expansion of Cooper Creek Tennis Center by adding twelve hard courts and ten clay courts and additionally there will be clubhouse and restrooms added on the expansion site by CORTA. The proposed expansion has been estimated to cost $5,374,637. The City's contributions will be up to $1,500,000 from the Local Option Sales Tax LOST. This project is one of the capital projects in the 2008 LOST.

Background: The City has been in a partnership with CORTA for several years concerning promoting the game of tennis to the surrounding area. Cooper Creek Tennis Center is the home of this partnership. Tennis has experienced a tremendous growth in participation in the Columbus area. CORTA and Cooper Creek Tennis Center have well over 2,500 active tennis players that use Cooper Creek Tennis Center and growth is expected to occur. CORTA will host several sectional, regional and state tournaments at the Tennis Center with plans to bid on more tournaments in the near future.

Due to the continued increase in participation, the tennis complex is lacking adequate courts, restroom facility and concession areas. This agreement will add twelve (12) hard courts and ten (10) clay courts to Cooper Creek Tennis Center. Additionally, there will be a clubhouse with restrooms added on the new expansion site.

This project is one of the capital projects in the 2008 Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) presentations to be funded with proceeds from the LOST. The balance of the funding needed for construction will come from private funds.

Management of the courts would be through the Department of Parks and Recreation similar to the management of the current courts with CSU being provided reserved time for practice and matches for which they would pay an annual fee.

Analysis: The expansion of Cooper Creek Tennis Center is a public/private partnership that is projected to have a significant impact on promoting tennis in Columbus. The City's partnership with CORTA and CSU will provide a premier competition facility for collegiate, high school, and recreational tennis tournaments. The expanded facility will enable CORTA to compete for larger regional tournaments that will have a significant economic impact for the community. The expanded facility will also accommodate more youth programs and provide additional courts for recreational play.

Financial Considerations: The City will contribute up to $1,500,000 and will provide a commitment letter for said $1,500,000 that the funds for construction can be drawn down when needed by CORTA.

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: The maintenance fee of $1,000 per month paid by CSU will adequately cover the cost of maintenance for the twelve (12) hard courts utilized by CSU. The addition of ten (10) clay courts will provide for recruitment of additional tournaments and court availability for recreational play. The additional availability is expected to increase revenue for the facility. There have been no formal estimates on the increased revenue at this time but revenues are projected to increase by $20,000. Additional operating expenses are estimated at $30,000 and would require two (2) additional part time personnel to maintain the expanded facility at a projected annual cost of $34,700. There will also be a need for capital outlay items in the approximate amount of $17,500.00.

Legal Considerations: The City Attorney has reviewed the contract and approved as to form.

Recommendations/ Actions: Approve the execution of the contract with CORTA and CSU for the expansion of Cooper Creek Tennis Center.

EXHIBIT 1 to Resolution
CORTA & CSU Agreement with CCG8.27.13.pdfCORTA & CSU Agreement with CCG8.27.13.pdf

Cooper Creek Expansion Site Plans.pdf

A RESOLUTION

NO. _____


A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH COLUMBUS REGIONAL TENNIS ASSOCIATION (CORTA) AND COLUMBUS STATE UNIVERSITY (CSU) FOR THE EXPANSION OF COOPER CREEK TENNIS CENTER.

WHEREAS, CORTA, CSU and the City has met to discuss the expansion of Cooper Creek Tennis Center; and,

WHEREAS, CORTA and CSU have expressed a desire to enter into an agreement with the City to complete a proposed expansion of Cooper Creek Tennis Center; and,

WHEREAS, the proposed expansion has been estimated to cost $5,374,637; and,

WHEREAS, the City of Columbus has been asked to contribute up to $1,500,000 of the estimated expansion costs; and,

WHEREAS, this project is one of the capital projects in the 2008 LOST presentations to be funded with the proceeds of the LOST. The balance of the funding needed for construction will come from private funds; and,

WHEREAS, management of the courts would be through Parks and Recreation similar to the management of the current courts with CSU being provided reserved time for practice and matches for which they would pay an annual fee; and,

WHEREAS, the expansion will provide badly needed tennis courts, restroom and concession areas to accommodate the increased participation in league play and tournaments for upcoming seasons.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:

That the City Manager is hereby authorized to execute an Agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1, with Columbus Regional Tennis Association and Columbus State University for the expansion of Cooper Creek Tennis Center and to spend funds up to $1,500,000 for said expansion.


___________

Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the _______________ day of ___________ 2013, and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of ______ members of said Council.


Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.

____________________________ ________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor