Members of the reconfigured Etowah County Mega Sports Complex Authority continue to analyze the state of the project in terms of construction and finances, as it moves toward events already on the books early next year.
At the suggestion of Chairman Hugh Stump, the process included the appointment of committees to undertake specific tasks: a by-laws committee to review and amend the authority’s governing documents, a competition/facilities committee to look at the running of the complex and ensure that facilities are ready for play.
The goal is to have the facility ready to host soccer by January, when state referee training is scheduled at the complex. A tournament will follow – with nine area teams already committed and one more likely to participate – in February.
Milam & Company Construction is working to complete its punch list of work remaining at the facility, and three areas are being prepared for sod. The authority plans to meet at the other facility to do a walk through to see what needs to be done to prepare for the fun.
More news: The first meeting of the board of the Redone Mega Sports Complex; Stumpa elected as chairman
After some of the remaining construction work is done, it is estimated that it will take approximately three weeks to complete the Game Day Athletic Surfaces with the remaining fields.
Hugh Miller, who will continue as the authority’s interim treasurer, said the authority has paid $5,189,708 to Milam so far, and has a balance of $52,409 left. Game Day was paid $1,606,660, and is owed $586,607. Chambles King Architects was paid $980,400, while other engineers received $94,391.
The financial report listed estimated income for the upcoming fiscal year (October 1-September 30):
Looking at the finances, Stump expressed concern that after debt service payments, the authority would have about $114,000 in cash flow to operate the facility and to hire and pay a director. Miller said some additional funds will be coming in this year. And when the competitions start, income will be generated.
Chamber director Christie Robinson appointed Roger Boatner, who had served on the previous incarnation of the board, to join Hugh Stump. Randy Vice, Misty Sosebee-Ledbetter, Hugh Miller, Chris Russell and Dennis Davis.
Davis, Vice, and Russell were named to a competition/facilities committee, to look at what still needs to be done to prepare for the play, and look at hiring a director. Members of the Authority spoke about the need for a director to be in place by the end of the year, if possible.
Sosebee-Ledbetter, Stump, and attorney Emily Mills, acting as authority counsel, will comprise the bylaws committee; Miller and Boatner will serve on the finance committee.
Stump suggested that a transition committee was needed, to obtain documents – contracts and other material – from the previous board that have not yet been provided. Miller said he is working to get documents, and that he can handle them without the need for a committee.
