The Prince William County Sports and Event Center is a proposed large indoor multi-sport and special event facility, that if ultimately approved, will be developed in North Woodbridge.
The facility would fill a need for indoor space for Prince William County residents as well as increase sports tourism opportunities and catalyze ancillary commercial development. MEB Contractors submitted an unsolicited proposal to design, build, and operate the facility in response to the Board of County Supervisors' directive to staff to seek a partnership with the private sector. As proposed, the facility would accommodate sports such as track and field, volleyball, basketball, pickleball, cheer, wrestling, football, and soccer as well as special events such as graduations, trade shows, expos, and corporate and community events.
No, the project is not considered finalized. It is currently in a study period. Funds have been earmarked by the County in the six-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP). There are various phases that will take place before anything is approved, such as additional studies in relation to management of the facility, revenue generation, traffic, and other community impacts.
In July 2018, the Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) issued a directive authorizing the County Executive to issue a Request for Information to look for partners to develop indoor sports facilities on both ends of the county. There were no viable responses received from the private market.
In June 2019, the BOCS renewed the directive to continue to “pursue public private partnerships to finance the western indoor fieldhouse and the eastern indoor sports complex” after removing the projects from the 2019 Bond Referendum list.
In February 2022, MEB Contractors submitted a Public Private Education Act (PPEA) Conceptual Proposal for the development of a 245,000 square foot indoor sports and events facility in eastern Prince William County. A PPEA selection committee comprised of county staff reviewed the PPEA and recommended acceptance to advance to the next stage in the process.
In April 2022, after BOCS concurrence, staff advertised the PPEA for competing proposals and none were received. After BOCS concurrence, staff requested a Detailed Proposal from MEB Contractors.
On February 22, 2023, MEB submitted a Detailed Proposal that included 13505 Telegraph Road, Woodbridge, Virginia 22192 consisting of approximately 21.85 acres, identified as GPIN No. 8392-06-6432.
On October 10, 2023, the BOCS held a public hearing on an Interim Agreement with MEB Contractors to conduct preliminary engineering and other due diligence to determine the cost of developing and operating the facility and economic development projections.
On November 28, 2023, the BOCS approved an Interim Agreement with MEB Contractors. By approving the Interim Agreement with MEB, the Board only committed to further due diligence for the project. It did not commit the County to develop the project.
On November 28, 2023, the Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) approved a purchase agreement for a 21.85-acre parcel at 13505 Telegraph Road, Woodbridge, Virginia. A $550,000 refundable security will be returned if the BOCS determines not to proceed with the project within a 150-day study period (ending May 18, 2024).
13505 Telegraph Road, Woodbridge, Virginia, near the intersection of Caton Hill Road and Prince William Parkway.
Other than a handful of indoor gymnasiums spread across the park system, the county lacks a large, multi-purpose, public indoor space for our 468,000 residents to practice and compete in sports. Furthermore, there are no facilities large enough to attract large sports tourism events, requiring our residents to travel out of the County to compete, which creates a cost burden and transfers economic benefits to other jurisdictions. Lastly, there are no public spaces to hold large non-sports events like expos and high school graduations causing families to travel out-of-county and event holders bringing their business to other jurisdictions.
Indoor fitness facilities ranked #4 for community need based on the 2019 Needs Assessment survey and a large facility along the I-95 corridor is included in the 2019 Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan.
The proposed project responds to numerous strategic planning documents adopted by the Board of County Supervisors': Objective 3 of the Resilient Economy Goal in the 2021-24 Strategic Plan: Invest in economic development, parks, recreation and tourism programs, projects and infrastructure that drive business and creates a sought-after quality of life attractive to residents, visitors, and business investors; and TOUR 2.4 Policy in the 2020 Comprehensive Plan: consider public/private partnerships to develop and operate new tourism related facilities.
The proposal, which is conceptual in nature, is estimated to cost between $117.8 - $135.8 million, including $16M for the land. The cost estimate will change based upon further due diligence by MEB Contractors and validated by the county’s third-party advisors.
The proposal is for the county to pay for the development of the facility and to enter into an agreement with a third party to operate the facility, either at risk or for a flat fee. The county may also opt to operate the facility.
Facilities of this size are commonly funded by the public sector due to the magnitude of cost and slow cash return on investment. The private sector cannot account for incremental tax revenue generated by the facility to recoup their costs. The private market has not filled the gap for our existing need to date, necessitating public support.
The Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) approved an Interim Agreement with MEB Contractors and their sub-consultants to conduct site analysis, preliminary engineering, community engagement, operating cost estimates and economic impact projections. The cost of the Interim Agreement is $248,849 plus an additional $50,000 for financial analysis by the county’s financial advisor, PFM and $11,151 for contingency and expenses associated with public engagement. ARPA funds (non-local tax dollars) are being used for fund the Interim Agreement. Upon conclusion of the Interim Agreement scope of work, estimated to be complete this spring, the BOCS will determine whether to proceed further with the proposed project to include buying the land and designing and building the facility via a Comprehensive Agreement.
Residents of Prince William County are invited to attend the following community meetings to learn more about the project and provide feedback:
Community Meeting #1
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Pat White Center at Ben Lomond
10501 Copeland Dr., Manassas, VA 20109
Community Meeting #2
Thursday, April 11, 2024
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Freedom High School (Cafeteria)
15201 Neabsco Mills Rd, Woodbridge, VA 22191
You can also provide comments by submitting the form on the bottom of this website.
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