In Addition To Stadium Upgrades, Tax Could Raise Money For Youth Sports

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by Kirk Hawkins
Bio | Email | Follow: @kirkhawkins by Photographer Tim Mullican

Story Created: Feb 13, 2013 at 10:49 PM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 13, 2013 at 11:18 PM EDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--Changes in the forecast forced seven teams to share the turf at Elon Park in South Charlotte Wednesday night. "Everybody is sharing space and it kinda limits you on what you can do," said Southwest Charlotte Resident Dean Watkins.

Like many local club sports, the Charlotte Soccer Academy says it's running out of space for its teams. "When you look at the amount of fields that are available for those teams to do practices, to have games, there's just not enough," said Charlotte Soccer Academy's Executive Director Brad Wylde

Charlotte City Councilman Andy Dulin says Council Members are looking at a proposal to increase investments in amateur sports. He says those investments could come in the form of new facilities, fields and the renovation of older athletic buildings. "That will fill up the restaurants, that will fill
up the hotels, that will fill up our community with folks that are here. The visiting tourism dollars are a big deal," said Dulin.

Dulin says the money could come from the one percent restaurant tax increase. It's expected to raise the 143 million dollars needed for Bank of America Stadium renovations. The Restaurant Association says it could reach a billion dollars over 30 years.

Back at Elon Park, Parents used to travelling out of state every weekend say they'd support new facilities that would keep their kids in town. "It keeps them active and doing something that they love to do," said Watkins.

Dulin says the proposal is contingent on the General Assembly approving the tax increase. Panthers Owner Jerry Richardson met with the Mecklenburg delegation in Raleigh Wednesday.
He's asking the state to chip in 62 million dollars for the stadium upgrades.

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