Town officials and regional planning experts are pushing back against a staggering $137 million cost estimate for recreational improvements at the Mattacheese site, arguing that a public-private partnership could deliver a state-of-the-art sports complex for less than half 그 price. During a meeting of the Mattacheese Utilization Committee on December 11, Chair Sharon Wymer detailed a high-level strategy session with the Cape Cod and Yarmouth Chambers of Commerce aimed at transforming the former school property into a regional athletic hub.

The financial viability of the project took center stage as Wymer reported that Town Administrator Bob Whritenour was out of his mind upon reviewing a recent field study that suggested the $137 million figure. However, Paul Nitzwicki of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce suggested a more realistic construction cost would fall between $40 million and $60 million. Wymer noted that because the town currently lacks dedicated funding for the site, officials are looking toward a public-private partnership to see if that opportunity is realistic and feasible, potentially supported by a long-term convention tax.

Town Planner Kathy Williams highlighted Yarmouth’s competitive edge over a rival 20-acre site at Cape Cod Community College in Barnstable. While the college site offers state-owned land, Williams noted it faces significant hurdles regarding historic district requirements and lack of local control. In contrast, Williams said the access to hotels in Yarmouth makes it a more favorable location for tournament organizers. Yarmouth was looked upon as a more favorable site, Williams added, noting that the town’s zoning and proximity to amenities outweigh the college's highway access.

The committee also reviewed a benchmarking study from BSC Group, which analyzed a dozen successful sports facilities across New England to guide the Mattacheese design. Heather, a representative from BSC Group, informed the committee that on average, the size was approximately 110,000 square feet of building space, and emphasized that the most sustainable models serve both youth and adults to ensure strong year-round demand. Axsa, also of BSC Group, pointed to the Fore Kicks facility in Taunton as a premier example, noting it spans 180,000 square feet... and has 11 indoor sports fields.

The discussion touched on technical requirements for such a massive undertaking, including the need for roughly 1,200 parking spaces and the potential for multi-use fields that use color-coded markings for different sports. Wymer also introduced the possibility of including disc golf on town land, sharing a packet from Cape Cod Disc with members and describing it as a growing thing for families and youngsters that could complement larger developments.

In procedural business, the committee addressed its past records. Motion Made by J. Anderson to accept the March 17th minutes. Motion Passed (5-0) with J. Anderson, L. Petro, A. Leard, B. Leong, and S. Wymer voting in favor. Before concluding, Wymer informed the committee that a controversial comprehensive permit application for a project at 897 Route 28, formerly discussed as a laundromat site, has been withdrawn by the developer.

The committee is now moving into a critical phase of public engagement. Member John Anderson inquired about the status of private interest in the site, to which Wymer responded that the Cape Cod Chamber has already identified three developers of interest for a potential partnership. Williams urged a cautious approach to the upcoming rollout, stating, We want to make sure... we're getting all staff on board before we present to the public. You only have one opportunity to make a first impression. The committee is scheduled to review formal concept plans on January 8, ahead of a community-wide meeting planned for February 25.