The Raleigh City Council has given the go-ahead to a joint funding proposal for a 100,000-square-foot indoor sports complex in Cary. The move comes a day after Wake County Commissioners unanimously approved $59 million to go toward the facility planned for Cary Towne Center.
The county's hospitality tax would make up the majority of those funds. The project is expected to cost $193 million and is set to open in 2024. Cary projects the sports complex to attract 161,400 overnight visitors by the fifth year of operation.
Plans for the Cary indoor sports complex include:
— Wake County, NC (@WakeGOV) February 17, 2020
•25,000 square feet of multi-purpose space,
•12 full-sized basketball courts, which could convert to 20 full-sized volleyball courts, and
•Arena seating for 4,000.
More about the amenities here: https://t.co/Zq0vfD7v3D
It would house 12 basketball courts and is designed so that half of the court space could be converted to an arena with a 4,000-seat capacity, according to planning documents. A Wake County news release highlighted other proposed features, including esports amenities, a full-service restaurant, childcare space and a walking track.
"I just want to say how perfect I think this location is," said Wake Commissioner Susan Evans Monday. "Not only does it help revitalize the Cary Town Center that very much needs some new life, but this is such an accessible location."
The entrance to the sports complex would face the intersection of southeast Maynard Road and Walnut Street. In 2017, Swedish furniture giant Ikea announced plans to open a store in Cary Towne Center, but canceled those plans one year later.
