Location among big decisions for sports complex

While the city of Cape Girardeau has decided to proceed with an indoor sports complex as its next restaurant tax-funded project, several decisions -- especially its location -- have to be made before construction begins.

Simply moving forward with the sports complex, versus other options such as an agriculture expo or indoor aquatics facility, took a facility feasibility committee months because of the data to consider. The city council approved the committee's recommendation in November.

Soon after that, the city laid out plans for choosing a partner to develop the sports complex. It began soliciting proposals in January, outlining a need for a public-private partnership between the city and one or more developers. The request included building and property specifications.

Proposals were accepted through Feb. 26. Since then, a city-appointed selection committee has been reviewing the proposals. Parks and recreation director and selection committee member Julia Thompson said the group recently interviewed applicants and still is vetting.

"We just finished interviews last week, so right now we're just reviewing all of that information," she said. " ... You have to gauge the quality of the submittal, the location of the submittal, site opportunities. We want to weigh all those things very carefully and sometimes that takes a little bit longer than you might think."

The city received eight submissions. Two of them -- one submitted as part of a project for students at the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center, and one from a group interested in providing professional services for the sports complex -- did not include a suggested location, which was in the criteria in the city's request for proposals.

Still, Thompson said, six suggested sites is more than the city expected, which leaves the committee plenty to consider about the opportunities each represents.

Although it was not listed among the facility feasibility committee's list of responsibilities, the group discussed how a sports complex could benefit the city based on its location.

Placing such a facility near the William Street and Interstate 55 intersection has merits because of ease of access and an established hub of stores and restaurants, but placing it in a less populated area could help grow the city in another direction. Such thoughts are mirrored by the committee as it continues its review, Thompson said.

As the committee continues its vetting, it will narrow applicants to a short list of five or fewer. Selections will be made from that list to enter into final negotiations for a contract, pending city council approval. A recommendation is expected to be delivered to the council in April or May.

The sports complex is anticipated to become a destination location in Cape Girardeau, Thompson said. She also expects many sports groups will vie for time and space at the facility.

The community shouldn't expect it to be "just a larger Osage gym," she said, which is geared toward community recreation use. The new sports complex likely will have higher fees and more high-quality features, and has been promoted as a way to give Cape Girardeau an economic boost by attracting out-of-town visitors for tournaments and other events.

Community usage will be part of the overall programming mix, "but our main, key goal -- because we have to break even -- the facility will operate like an enterprise fund. So, it will operate somewhat like a private facility," Thompson said.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-36341

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau, Mo.