The sports complex pictured in this artist’s rendering will not be built in Corpus Christi after all. The City Council terminated its lease with SQH Sports & Entertainment after four years of failing to provide funding to begin construction. Courtesy image
A new lease agreement between the city of Corpus Christi and SQH Sports & Entertainment Inc. now being drafted will increase the original 68 acres agreed on in 2018 to about 200 acres. Mayor Joe McComb and council member Greg Smith both voted against changing the agreement, which was approved at the council meeting Feb. 12. Council member Rudy Garza abstained, making the final vote 6-2-1. The draft is expected to be presented for final agreement at the Feb. 19 meeting.
The deal involves land at the intersection of Texas 286 at FM 43, where SQH wants to construct a $33.4 million multi-sport complex. The complex will be built whether or not more acreage is added to the original deal.
“We’re going to build a sports complex in Corpus Christi, yes, sir,” said Bert Quintanilla, vice president of governmental affairs for the company in answer to a question from McComb.
Quintanilla said funding has already been secured but could not give details as the information was confidential.
In the agreement, the company would pay the city $50,000 a year in rent for the additional acreage. It has already spent $440,000 on the project over the past several years, Quintanilla said. The city would retain all rights and ownership of the facilities and related infrastructure should the project prove a failure.
SQH representatives estimate the facility would bring 200,000-300,000 visitors to the area each year for regional and state tournaments. The complex would include sports fields, field houses, and concession areas. The land was previously used as a landfill.
At a presentation before the council, a representative of the company said the project would not add to taxpayer expenses.
“That’s not the type of partnership we want,” said Derrick Hegmon, chief operating officer of SQJ. “We never came here to ask for money but a partnership of land.”
Cost of the complex would include infrastructure improvements to the land, an extension of Oso Parkway, and a new public hike-and-bike trail. Economic impact via new tax revenue is estimated by the company at about $14.9 million during the construction period and the first five years of operation.
“This is about taking a landfill and turning it into something that’s a jewel for the Coastal Bend,” Hegmon said. “It’s a win-win for everybody.”
