More on the tennis facility

I am a little skeptical of the proposed 30-court tennis complex that is proposed for Elkridge. I was initially unclear as to how the facility was supposed to be funded. At first I thought that private corps would fund the whole thing, but then I began to suspect that the County would at least be asked to guarantee the debt which was expected to be paid by user fees. According to Explore Howard, the entire facility is supposed to funded with private money and was approved on the basis that the thing could be built without money from the county. The group spearheading the project would just be leasing land already owned by the county. If that is the case, that is not as bad as I thought.

However, one thing that gives me a pause is how the group spearheading this effort, the Howard County Tennis Patrons, was originally reported to have $500,000 in equity to put into the $25 million project. Now all of the sudden they have $8 million to put into the project. How does $7.5 million show up out of the blue in less than 2 months, especially in this economic climate? That is very suspicious.

Tollick said the complex would cost about $25 million to build. He said $8 million of that will be raised by HCTP, the remaining $17 million financed through other means, such as private partners.

Enright said that the county is unlikely to take part in funding the project.

"This project was approved based on no county funding being required to complete the tennis facility," he said.

While $25 million seems like a steep price considering the current economic turmoil, Tollick said the fiscal upside of the project outweighs the negatives.

"We think this holds great economic potential," he said. "We have already talked with the USTA about bringing tournaments here, and we'd like to even bring in the (Women's Tennis Association)."

Both Arthur and Enright noted the potential boon for local restaurants, hotels and businesses if such tournaments -- especially WTA events -- could be brought to Elkridge.

Let's hope the county does not have to put in any money. I'd be totally jazzed about this facility if the county was not involved at any level. But something just does not add up with this, and if anyone is being played for a sucker, it will be the county.