OCEAN CITY, Md. -- Efforts are underway in Ocean City as officials strive to bring a sports complex to town, with a dedicated committee formed earlier this year to navigate the difficult task. While significant progress has been made, not everyone in Ocean City is embracing the developments with unreserved positivity.
The Sports Complex Task Force of Ocean City has outlined a financial strategy to fund the proposed facility, requiring an 80-20 split between the state of Maryland and the town. The town's portion, estimated to be between $34.5 million and $40 million, is intended to be generated through an increase in the room tax, jumping from the current 5% to 6%.
City Manager Terry McGeen clarified that slightly over half of this additional percentage would be earmarked to fund the sports complex.
"One of the committees recommendations was that we dedicate 6/10ths of that one percent towards funding the debt service on the sports complex," said McGean.
As the task force forges ahead, skepticism lingers among residents, exemplified by Vince Gisriel, who had reservations during the evaluation of a proposed complex in Berlin.
"A lot of times we look at these issues based on what's good for the average citizen and in this case, I'm concerned that the average citizen will not benefit," said Gisriel.
Gisriel voiced concerns about the potential ramifications for both local and statewide taxpayers.
"Why should the rest of the state support something this consultant has indicated may not make money?" questioned Gisriel.
Responding to these concerns, McGeen emphasized that the objective behind the room tax increase is to keep the burden on local taxpayers to a minimum, ensuring that the sports complex is primarily supported by the room tax rather than a property tax hike.
In the upcoming legislative session, the town plans to seek approximately $500,000 to cover preliminary design and site assessment expenses for the proposed sports complex. McGean said they expect that work to cost $1 million or $1.5 million. If it ends up being the latter, Ocean City will ask the state for $1.2 million.
Then, if the project advances to the point of site selection, Ocean City officials intend to approach Maryland lawmakers once again, seeking 80% of the construction costs. The state's potential contribution to the construction of the sports complex is estimated to range between $125 million and $135 million.
