Seminole County's Clerk of Court and Comptroller is asking county commissioners to reconsider a planned indoor sports complex now estimated at up to $175 million, citing a report from his office that projects the building's revenue would fall well short of its debt payments. County officials say the project is meant to be paid for with tourism and sales tax money, not property taxes.
What the clerk's report says
The white paper, prepared by the clerk's Division of Inspector General, reviews the project's history, finances, site and regional competition, WKMG reported. It found that consultants project $2.4 billion in economic impact for the area across three decades, but that direct revenue from operations and tourism taxes would total about $121 million over that span.
If the full project were financed, debt service would run about $332 million, leaving a gap of roughly $211 million, the report concluded. Financing only the county's share, estimated at $110 million, would still leave an $88 million gap.
The report also raised concerns about the site's neighbor, a masonry and concrete operation, and recommended environmental and compatibility studies before construction. It laid out three paths: build with public money and accept the risk, pursue a public-private partnership, or hold off and build in stages.
"It is important for the County Commission to carefully consider all of the potential risks and impacts to the taxpayers before moving forward with one of the most expensive projects in county history. Especially now with the passing of Amendment 3," Clerk and Comptroller Grant Maloy said, according to WKMG.
Maloy told WFTV that of roughly $5.5 million the county has allocated, only about $15,000 has been spent, so there is still time to pause. "Before this project gets too far, I'd like for them to reconsider how big it is and how they're moving forward on it," he said.
The county's response
In a statement released through communications director Chris Patton, Seminole County said it welcomed the input and that local hotels asked for the project and agreed to tax themselves through a Tourism Improvement District. The county said the district has brought in close to $4.8 million since collections started in April 2025.
