A new sports center proposed near Georgetown is banking on Sussex County Council contributing $1.5 million to the $4 million project.

Sussex Sports Center Foundation plans to construct a complex with eight fields for soccer, lacrosse and other sports on Sand Hill Road, property once slated for a subdivision.

“We know it's a very big number,” said Joe Schell, who has donated 56 acres of land for the project, valued at $400,000. He said private individuals, foundations and businesses will contribute $2.2 million, while the Town of Georgetown and the state will provide the remaining $300,000.

“We're not a tournament-oriented facility,” he said. “We're a county park facility for whatever sport people want to play.”

In addition to sports fields, plans call for 6-8 pickleball courts, a regulation cross-country track and walking trail, as well as pavilions and picnic areas. While the center will host some tournaments, Schell said the intent is to have a place for local families to enjoy outdoor recreation in Sussex County.

“We're much more oriented to regular use by the public and for some of our youth clubs to have a place to call home,” he said. “We're particularly excited about the fact that we think the public wants a place like this.”

If the county chooses to get in the parks and recreation business in the future, Schell said, they will have the option to buy the facility for $1.

“That’s a valuable option,” he said. “Hopefully in the next four or five years before you even think of that option, we’ll be able to prove this is a first-class facility.”

The nonprofit foundation tasked with raising funds to build the complex presented its pitch at the Sept. 26 county council meeting. Zac Crouch of Davis, Bowen and Friedel also said the foundation will donate two parcels to realign the intersection at Route 9/Sand Hill Road/Airport Road and address drainage issues.

Crouch said he expects permits and construction plans to be submitted in early October. Developer Bob Horsey said the foundation anticipates plans to be approved by 2018, and the center should be open by spring 2019.

Buy-in from the county could help Delaware Department of Transportation efforts to secure a $7 million federal grant for that intersection work, Schell said.

“This is a real advantage to the county,” Schell said. “This is really an intersection that we all know … that really needs some attention. This way we not only have provided an answer as to how they can align the road, but we've provided the catalyst.”

Councilman George Cole questioned whether there would be enough demand for another sports complex, especially since Kent County now has DE Turf and there are adequate facilities in nearby Salisbury, Md.

“I think there's going to be a need for more than what we're doing,” Schell responded, adding that the plan is to build all the fields and pavilions at once, not in phases. Schell said future maintenance costs will be supported by fees paid by clubs that regularly use the fields for practices and games, as well as a handful of anticipated tournaments. Other funding sources will come from events, community groups, wedding receptions and summer camps, he said.

Councilman Rob Arlett also questioned how the facility will be different from DE Turf.

Schell said Sussex Sports Center will have real grass – Bermuda grass – and not turf. He said tournaments are not the first priority for this project, as they are at DE Turf and Sports at the Beach.

“We're not all that anxious to get tournaments,” he said. “We'd love to have a couple, and we know we will have them. But that's not driving the economics.”

Arlett also questioned why the Town of Georgetown isn't contributing more than $25,000 toward the project, and whether the state could pony up more than $275,000.

County Finance Director Gina Jennings said the county has $1 million onhand for capital improvements, which could include an investment in the sports complex. The additional $500,000 would have to be considered in the next budget review.

County Administrator Todd Lawson said council will now contemplate the funding request and any contractual obligations between the county and the foundation. No date has been set to revisit the funding request.

For now, council wants to hear what the public thinks. Residents are invited to share input during public comment periods at regular council meetings held at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays, submit written comments to Sussex County Council, c/o Clerk of the Council, P.O. Box 589, Georgetown, DE 19947, or online at sussexcountyde.gov/news/feedback-proposed-sports-complex.