Latest news with #sportscomplex
CBS News
24-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Colorado county approves $400,000 for controversial Zebulon mega sports complex
Douglas County is moving forward on a controversial sports mega complex in Sterling Ranch. On Tuesday, commissioners voted to approve a $410,000 contract for a consultant to begin early plans for the facility. CBS Colorado has previously reported about the original proposal, as well as the need for more youth sports facilities in the growing county. Douglas County has a sales tax that benefits parks, trails and open spaces. The county projects that fund will have $22.7 million in it by the end of the year. In 2025, the county asked residents how they wanted those dollars spent. Results of that survey showed preserving open space was a top priority, while a mega sports complex was polarizing. A third of respondents listed a mega sports complex as their most or second most appealing amenity when presented with six large-scale projects, but another third listed it as their least appealing option. Commissioner Abe Laydon says Zebulon will be a world-class sporting venue, featuring ice rinks, courts for basketball, pickleball, volleyball, a covered baseball dome and open space. "We heard loud and clear through our citizen survey and through, really, all the amazing kids that are involved in youth sports in our community that this is something they're excited about, and we're happy to deliver," Laydon said. While some club teams are looking forward to the facility, others say Zebulon is too far away to serve kids in their community. They say they would rather see community or nonprofit sports facilities built. "I have concerns about the cost of this project," said Eiko Browning in Highlands Ranch. "I have concerns that it is a public-private partnership, and that is not something that is purely for the community good, like a recreation center. This is going to be a private recreational facility for competitive sports, and not all of our kids can benefit from that, and I don't think that we should be using taxpayer dollars to subsidize a private company." "This would be a public amenity, so our legal criteria is to make sure that we're benefiting all citizens," Laydon said. "There's a public interest, and the concept with Zebulon is that it is open and free access to all citizens. Laydon said the complex will also host national club tournaments. Still, questions surround the 500-acre mega sports complex planned for Sterling Ranch. "How is this going to be funded?" former Commissioner Lora Thomas asked during public comment at Tuesday's meeting. "Why is it that we the people are financing a private development?" Browning asked in the county meeting. She was one of several neighbors who voiced their concerns. Zebulon is a public-private partnership. But some community members say it's not what they want their parks and open space tax dollars going to. "I personally do not want my taxpayer money going to fund a private sports complex," Browning said. And it's still unclear how may tax dollars will be allocated for Zebulon. "It could be entirely underwritten by the private sector," Laydon said. "My guess is that it'll be blended and braided with county funds consistent with where our citizens want us to be." Laydon claims Zebulon will bring $1 billion to Douglas County's economy in its first phase, but he couldn't put a number on the project's total cost. "It's too early to say," Laydon said. As commissioners approved more than $400,000 for a consultant to create a design and construction plan, another concern is emerging. At the bottom of that contract, Douglas County Attorney Christopher Pratt asked in an email, "Are they aware of the environmental issues on this site? Should we include the likelihood of having to redesign or make significant modifications due to such concerns and [Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment]?" "If there is an environmental concern, it can be mitigated, but that could just really add to the expense of the project," Browning said. The land Zebulon will be built on is a former DuPont dynamite manufacturing site, with a known history of contamination. According to Court documents from a 2003 lawsuit filed by DuPont against the Douglas County Board of Equalization, "The parties agreed that the property had been used for manufacturing explosives, that its soils were contaminated, and that a 1998 compliance order required the property to be cleaned before it could be used for residential or commercial purposes." Douglas County and Sterling Ranch acquired the land in 2023 from the company, then known as Chemours. "When they kick up that dirt and it makes people sick, are we going to know right away?" asked Sudee Floyd, who lives near Zebulon. Brock Smethills, the president of Sterling Ranch Development Company, told CBS Colorado, "The site had been through over 20 years of environmental remediation and received a conditional closure letter from the Colorado Department of Health and Environment." Smethills says some nearby land does need additional environmental remediation, adding, "At this time, it is anticipated that the private sector will be predominantly responsible for further remediation." "We're not taking on any additional environmental mitigation because it already has been done," Laydon said. Douglas County told CBS Colorado, "For a site with known past contamination issues, an environmental assessment will be completed as part of the design phase." The complex still doesn't sit right with some neighbors, who want more answers before Zebulon moves forward. "I'm not against this type of a park," Floyd said. "I'm not for this being hurried." "If, for some reason, we discover that it's not making sense or we're not seeing the right projections, then, we would certainly slow things down," Laydon said. "But based upon reports from the private sector and all of our partners, we're going to take off like a rocket." Laydon says they're still working to identify private sector partners on this project. Laydon expects Zebulon to break ground this fall. "Douglas County evaluated building a large regional sports facility within Wildcat Park in Highlands Ranch prior to the current site location of Zebulon. Highlands Ranch overwhelmingly was against locating a youth sports facility in Wildcat open space in July of 2024 (there was townhall on the topic), and this site was proposed as an alternative. The area where the sports complex is planned to be located is split between County owned land, and land owned by Sterling Ranch affiliates. It is anticipated that a land exchange will be consummated such that the County will own all of the land that includes the sports complex. The ongoing discussions with the County do not entertain a sale of property to the County, but instead a land exchange." "There is a lot of 'misinformation' regarding the site in general. Allow me to explain some historic information and give clarity to the current state of the property. The approximate 1,500 acres between Moore Road and the community of Louviers was all owned by Dupont Chemical. All of that land, except the last 357 acres, had been donated to Douglas County or acquired by Douglas County prior to 2023. Sterling Ranch affiliates acquired the last 357 acres in 2023. The site had been through over twenty years of environmental remediation and received a conditional closure letter from the Colorado Department of Health and Environment prior to our acquisition of the property (see attached). There is an area outside of the footprint of the sports complex and not located upon land that is anticipated to be owned by the County that will need further remediation in order to develop the site for commercial or residential use. In addition, some public roads and infrastructure work will occur in and around the site that needs additional environmental remediation. At this time, it is anticipated that the private sector will be predominantly responsible for further remediation as part of the development that will be adjacent to the sports complex." "Finally, I would like to address equity and fairness for Sterling Ranch, our homeowners, and Roxborough. All of the regional parks that were built in Highlands Ranch were paid for by Douglas County. In addition, since approximately 1998, all of the municipalities in Douglas County (with the exception of Castle Pines and Lone Tree) have received a portion of all County-wide sales taxes as matching funds for them to build parks and acquire open space. The unincorporated areas such as Sterling Ranch and Roxborough have not received any pledge of sales tax revenues, and to date, the County has only allocated $2.5 million to one individual park in this area. In addition, in the latest parks and open space sales tax extension, the municipalities are anticipated to automatically receive over $60 million for parks for their jurisdictions while the unincorporated areas receive nothing (to date, the Sterling Ranch Community Authority Board has spent over $22 million of its own budget on parks, open space and landscaping). For these reasons, it makes sense for Douglas County to locate a world-class amenity like Zebulon adjacent to Sterling Ranch in order to offer our residents and the surrounding area at large recreation opportunities that already exist elsewhere in Douglas County."
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ZT Parks Awarded 10-Year Agreement to Manage Clark Sports Complex at Ralph B. Clark Regional Park
– Enhancements underway as ZT Parks transforms baseball fields to first-class facilities – FULLERTON, Calif., July 16, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ZT Parks, a division of ZT Corporate, announced today it has been awarded a 10-year contract from the County of Orange for the management and maintenance of the Clark Sports Complex at Ralph B. Clark Regional Park. ZT Parks operates nationally, providing critical resources and best-in-class operations to local parks and recreational facilities. Taseer Badar, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ZT Corporate, said, "We created ZT Parks in 2022 with the goal of enhancing local parks and baseball facilities to benefit both the community and youth sports teams. We understand the importance of these spaces to local residents and community baseball programs, and we're thrilled to invite everyone to enjoy the newly revitalized baseball fields later this year. I know how much a best-in-class facility impacts the confidence and desire to show up in these kids, and we are fortunate to be able to bring this opportunity to more communities across California." The sports complex includes six sports fields, and ZT Parks will provide comprehensive management and maintenance services that include facility upgrades, program scheduling, rentals and more. Enhancements and updates underway include installation of in-field turf, new dugouts, netting and sustainable landscaping improvements in the surrounding areas. Carlos Avila, National Director of ZT Baseball, said, "ZT Baseball has always had strong roots in Orange County, and we are excited to expand our ZT Parks division to these fields. Our program focuses on fostering growth and excellence in youth sports, and these newly revitalized parks will provide an excellent environment for both players and their families. We look forward to bringing local teams to these fields alongside local programming." For more information or to inquire about future programming at the park, please contact ztparksoc@ About ZT Corporate Established in 1997, ZT Corporate is a Houston-based private equity firm with offices in New York and Los Angeles. The firm focuses on healthcare and auto dealerships as core investment verticals. ZT Corporate's investment team collaborates with its operators to support the day-to-day operations of the firm's portfolio investments. This close collaboration drives value creation by developing stronger operator-investor relationships, cross-functional expertise, and a deeper understanding of the target industries. Since its founding, ZT Corporate has successfully completed more than 60+ investments, including platform companies and follow-on opportunities with multiple liquidity events for its investors. For more information: View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Victoria CookPierpont Communications for ZT Corporatevcook@ 713-627-2223 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CBS News
03-07-2025
- CBS News
Former general manager accused of embezzling $400K from Livonia Athletic District
The former general manager of the Livonia Athletic District is accused of embezzling more than $400,000 from the facility. Livonia Police Department Todd Edward McIntyre, 28, of Novi, is charged with one count of embezzlement. McIntyre is accused of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars between July 2022 and October 2024 while he served as general manager of the sports complex located on Stark Road in Livonia. The Livonia Athletic District terminated McIntyre from his position on Oct. 16, 2024, according to officials. McIntyre was arraigned Thursday morning and given a $750,000 bond. He's due back in court for a probable cause conference on July 10.
Daily Mail
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Eton's begging letter to William and Harry - and how Downton's last series ended in tears: EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE
Old Etonians William and Harry will have received a begging letter from the college provost Sir Nicholas Coleridge asking them to help pay for a new sports complex. The royals, along with other former classmates, parents and friends of Eton, are being asked to make a financial gift to the college. Fingers crossed the boys are more receptive than one Old Etonian who wails: 'We are getting increasingly irritated by Nicholas's quests for money - not least because Eton is not giving any concessions re the VAT but passing it all on to parents.' Zut alors! A diplomatic spat has broken out over the decision to ask French president Emmanuel Macron to speak from Parliament's Royal Gallery during next month's State Visit - not the more historic Westminster Hall. My mole whispers the French wanted the latter as that's where Charles de Gaulle addressed both Houses in 1960. That and the fact that the Royal Gallery is famous for two giant frescoes battles of Waterloo and Trafalgar. 'Tant pis', Emmanuel! Downton Abbey star Phyllis Logan, pictured, recalls weeping with fellow cast members Lesley Nicol (Mrs Patmore) and Sophie McShera (Daisy) after the end of the final series of the soap. 'I remember standing by the make-up truck to get my wig on and we three were stood sobbing into each other's necks for about 20 minutes. And then Jim Carter (butler Carson) made a speech and started breaking up - and that's not Jim at all - and so that set everybody off.' Creator Julian Fellowes was no doubt blubbing all the way to the bank. John Cleese, revealing the hit Hollywood role that got away, says: 'I really am sad about [1988's] Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. I was offered the role... but my second marriage [to late US model Barbara Trentham] was in a mess. I thought, I can't go off and make a movie, I've got to go back and decide whether I'm married or not.' Thrice-divorced Cleese, who later split from Trentham in 1990, ruefully adds: 'It took me about a week... and by that time Michael Caine had got it!' Grayson Perry, mourning Alan Yentob in The Spectator, remembers his 'endearing/infuriating' habit of incessant name-dropping and hanging out with celebrities: 'I once arrived early at some big arts event and immediately encountered Alan. We chatted and then he wandered off only to return ten minutes later. "Couldn't you find anyone more famous to hang out with?" I asked. "No," he said.' Ireland football manager Jack Charlton wangled an audience with Pope John Paul when the team were in Rome for Italia 90. 'Jack wasn't a Catholic,' recalls team player Ray Houghton. 'He fell asleep. When he woke up, the Pope was giving a blessing to everyone in general - and Jack thought it was for him and started waving back!'
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Details of future ‘Joplin Sports Complex' on display at open house
JOPLIN, Mo. — Plans for Joplin's next big development project is put on display during an open house Thursday (6/26). Developers from Woodsonia Real Estate presented the latest plans for 'Prospect Village' — Joplin's newest multi-use development project. It would add new shopping, sporting, and residential space to an area near 20th Street and Range Line Road. The open house focused on a planned sports complex inside 'Prospect Village.' 'Having an open house like this gives us an ability to make sure that the developer's going to deliver a great facility that meets the community's needs,' said Joplin City Manager, Nick Edwards. 'We've got a great team involved on the site doing all the due diligence, working through all the planning, the design work, so we're happy about the progress we've made,' said Woodsonia Real Estate President, Drew Snyder. Plans call for a 135,000 square foot indoor sports complex, along with two outdoor athletic fields with artificial turf. 'The sports complex is something that would be a huge economic benefit for the community. It would be an amenity for current residents, but it would also generate business activity through tourism, specifically sports tourism,' said Edwards. Tax revenue from a newly approved community improvement district (CID) will help fund the sports facility. 'It's a huge investment in the community. That's where those dollars are going. So, there's always going to be some level of opposition. But I feel like the feedback has been overwhelmingly very positive,' said Snyder. During Thursday night's open house, the community got to weigh in. 'We'll gather as much feedback as we can. We'll address those changes and then hopefully get through the rest of the process this year and start construction in 2026,' said Snyder. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
