By Bonnie Culverhouse
Feeling it is time to take Minden to another level, the city council has given Mayor Nick Cox the authority to sign contracts with Synergy Sports to renovate and expand the current 25-year-old Recreation Complex.
The council agreed in two unanimous votes at last Monday’s meeting, to the overall project – not to exceed $10M and to negotiate a funding and development agreement with Synergy.
Cox said the project will “contribute significantly to regional sports tourism as well as being a quality-of-life enhancement to the community.”
During a previous workshop, District E Councilman Andy Pendergrass pointed out that one of the upgrades to the current complex would be turfing the infields with a new product that is comfortable and doesn’t draw heat.
“The outfields would still be natural grass,” Pendergrass said, “so we would not have the expense of doing a whole ball field.”
Cox said there will be improvements to multi-functional fields, shaded seating and a playground for all, including persons with disabilities.
“The world of sports is evolving; It’s turning into this industry that has a lot of financial incentive for auxiliary businesses to come in and support it,” Cox said referring to Industrial Drive (service road). “I heard a presentation about how to attract sports tourism. There’s an economic buzz in the background. This will bring in hotels and restaurants.”
Using NCL Government Capital, the city will enter into a transaction in the form of a Tax Exempt Municipal Lease Agreement.
“We bring the capital, we renovate the fields, then we’re going to turn that improvement into a lease expense to the city,” said North Carolina-based Synergy Sports executive Jason Boudrie during the previous workshop. “The city consents to support the project with annual appropriations, and the project should cover its own expenses and return dollars to the city.”
Key Strengths
Low Risk: Focus on revenue-generators, manageable costs
Flexibility: Minimum payment starts, scales with revenue
No Overreach: Current staff stays, third-party handles tournaments
Long-Term Partnership: Jason from Synergy as vision partner
Future Growth: Add phases (e.g., field house) as revenues increase
District D Councilman Michael Roy said the hopes the future growth may include a Recreational Vehicle (RV) park.
“Travel ball consists of a lot of people who have trailers, and it’s something that – during those events – would be additional revenue,” Roy said. “I would like for us to think about it. Infrastructure is already in place, so hopefully it would be a minimal cost.”
