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
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 Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.
____________________________
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Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council , Mayor
Attachments