The following are comments from members of the Stone Mountain Memorial Association (SMMA) from recent board meetings regarding the status and fate of the Stone Mountain Tennis Center

All SMMA board meeting minutes can be reviewed at StoneMountainPark.org

• A meeting of the Stone Mountain Memorial Association was held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2009, at Evergreen Conference Center, Stone Mountain Park, Stone Mountain, Georgia.

TENNIS FACILITY LEASE WITH GWINNETT COUNTY
Mr. Branscome (Curtis Branscome, SMMA C.E.O.) reviewed the terms of the lease which was provided in the agenda materials. The lease provides for the operation of the tennis facility by Gwinnett County after the stadium is demolished. This is a 50 year lease which is permitted between governmental entities. The SMMA staff recommends the approval of the lease.

Finance Committee Chair Bill Chappell moved for the approval of the lease. Mr. Baxter stated that the Finance Committee has recommended the lease for approval, therefore no second is required. The SMMA Board unanimously approved the tennis facility lease.

• A meeting of the Stone Mountain Memorial Association was held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, June 15, 2009, at Evergreen Conference Center, Stone Mountain Park, Stone Mountain, Georgia.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Lee Baker (Lee Baker, Executive Director, Gwinnett Sports Council) addressed his concerns regarding the demolition of the Tennis Stadium. He requested that the SMMA Board reconsider the decision to demolish the stadium. Mr. Baker understands that SMMA has not had any success in utilizing the Stadium over the past years. His belief is that the facility must be transitioned to a multi purpose facility with a roof or a bubble to remove the weather element in order to market it effectively. Mr. Baker listed many events that could take place at the venue if it had a roof. This facility could serve crowds that would not be accommodated by a 2,000 seat high school gymnasium.

He has reviewed the structural assessment report prepared by Rosser international which notes deterioration that has occurred but poses no immediate threat to the continued operation of the facility. The report was dated two years ago. To spend $2 million to demolish the stadium is hard to accept.

He asked if SMMA had done a feasibility study on putting a roof on the stadium and what benefits this would have for the area. SMMA’s response has been that this would be pouring good money after bad. Would if be worth verifying with a study, that would cost less than $50,000, to either confirm the decision to demolish or find that a multi-purpose facility could not only sustain itself but bring thousands of new visitors to the Park each year? The Stadium is positioned at the Gateway to the Evermore CID, which would welcome the visitors to the shops, restaurants and hotels in the area. By partnering with the Evermore CID, it could serve as a catalyst for a rebirth of the area.

Mr. Baker understands that an agreement has been signed with Gwinnett County to demolish the Stadium and turn the remaining tennis courts over to them. He is sure the county would reconsider its position on the conversion if an economic impact study shows that benefits would be substantially greater for all than using the area as a tennis park. Mr. Baker asked the Board to reconsider its actions or to share additional documentation that supports the decision. He requested the Board to allow a group led by him to inspect the facility. He has checked with Gwinnett County and they have told him any inspection would be SMMA’s decision.

Mr. Baker requested a reasonable amount of time to follow through with this discovery and make it as public as possible so no one can question what would be in the best interest of the citizens and taxpayers of the area.

Mr. Baker thanked the SMMA Board for allowing him to make the proposal. Mr. Branscome stated that the SMMA Board and the Gwinnett County Commission has approved and executed a fifty year lease on the tennis property with the stipulation that the Stadium be demolished. If Gwinnett County comes to the SMMA Board and requests that the agreement be amended to delete the requirement to demolish the Stadium, then SMMA would consider not spending monies on demolition. The agreement is legally binding and the fate of the facility is solely in the hands of Gwinnett County. Mr. Baker inquired as to whether a study had been done to determine the feasibility of putting a roof on the stadium. Mr. Branscome replied that to his knowledge no study had been performed. Mr. Branscome said that he envisioned that a roof would cost millions of dollars and that if the Evermore CID had funds for this they should present them to Gwinnett County along with their proposal.

Mr. Baker also asked who would need to decide to perform a feasibility study. Mr. Branscome stated that the binding agreement was with Gwinnett County and any study would need to come from them.