The Midland City Council is set to vote on a development and lease agreement with the Midland Athletic Syndicate (MAS) for a proposed $30 million indoor, multi-purpose athletic facility. The facility would be situated on city-owned property at the Scharbauer Sports Complex.
According to the City Council's Jan. 23 meeting agenda, under this agreement, the city would commit to contributing $275,000 toward the facility's development and would charge MAS the same water rates paid by the City of Midland Parks Division. The lease with MAS would involve an annual payment of $1 over a 49-year term, with two 25-year options for extension.
As per the same agenda, MAS would be required to launch a capital campaign that must raise at least $30 million by Jan. 31, 2026. The organization is expected to hire an architect to draft plans for a 90,000-square-foot facility. It would also operate and maintain the facility, bearing all operating costs. Furthermore, MAS is tasked with establishing rules, a reservation process, and non-discriminatory fee schedules for activities and events.
According to information available on the MAS website, Jacob Martin, an engineering firm based in Abilene, Texas has been hired by MAS to design the facility. The planned building will cover an area of 115,000 square feet and include six full-size basketball courts that can be converted into twelve full-size volleyball courts. Additionally, it will house a 5x5 indoor soccer arena that could also serve as a multi-sport turf space. Martin estimates construction costs at around $35 million.