Columbus City Council Backs $400M Nationwide Arena Renovation
Columbus City Council has unanimously approved a public funding plan to help pay for major upgrades to Nationwide Arena, marking the first step in a broader $400 million renovation plan for the 25-year-old venue.
City leaders say the investment is critical to keeping the arena competitive, safe and accessible for the future, while some council members also raised concerns about the potential impact on the city’s budget.
“For 25 years, Nationwide Arena has been a place where Columbus comes together to cheer, to celebrate and to welcome visitors from across the region of the country,” said Ken Paul, executive director of the Columbus Convention Authority.
Paul told council members that reinvestment is necessary if the arena is to continue serving the city for the next quarter century. Council’s approval Monday night clears the way for up to $100 million in city support to help pay back a possible state-issued bond that would go towards long-needed facility improvements.
Wichita State Partners on Championship-Level Tennis Facility
Wichita State University is honored to be an invited partner to expand entertainment and tourism in Wichita in the development of a premier championship-level tennis facility located within the 35-acre “Ignite at K-96” major multi-sport athletic complex, on the southeast side of the K-96 and Greenwich corridor.
The six-acre tennis complex will be built to NCAA national championship specifications. The facility will feature 12 outdoor and six indoor courts, first-class team accommodations and a spectator capacity of 1,500.
This project reflects a state and local vision that would elevate the WSU tennis program and positively impact student athletes. WSU’s inclusion as an invited partner in this project is pending approval by the Kansas Board of Regents. Developed by Family Destination Development LLC (FDD), led by Marty Cornejo and Ashley Cozine, this project focuses on creating athletic and sporting venues, both indoor and outdoor family entertainment options, restaurants and a resort hotel. This project continues to move through all approval processes, with the Wichita City Council approving the project on Dec. 16.
Developer Propose Sports Complex for Clearwater, Fla.
A 5,000-seat stadium, 12 playing fields, 24 pickleball courts, a water park, 12 sand volleyball courts, a mini golf course and a 24,000 square foot private gym.
That’s what could replace the city-owned golf course adjacent to the Clearwater Airpark, according to a proposal obtained by the Tampa Bay Times.
Clearwater is being pitched a partnership that, according to the proposal, would allow for the project to be possible without “the need for taxpayer-funded construction or yearly subsidies.”
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