In a unanimous decision, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners and the Sterling Ranch Development Company announced a significant move to enhance regional sports access for the local community, constructing a new mega sports complex named Zebulon, as reported by Douglas County. The upcoming complex will cater to a variety of sports including basketball, baseball/softball, volleyball, football, soccer, and hockey, while also embracing the preservation of over 400 acres of open spaces.
Commissioner Abe Laydon described the initiative as an ushering in of the "golden era of Douglas County," pointing to the significant benefits that Zebulon will deliver, including its boost to the preservation of open spaces, an issue Laydon and his colleagues have heard loud and clear from their community, but with the complexity of it being the county has been teetering on when to act on the taxpayer's wishes, the involvement of the Sterling Ranch Development Company seems to have provided the needed catalyst for action. A live Town Hall meeting slated for April will offer residents a chance to learn more about the project and other parks and open space ventures.
Commissioner George Teal, in his enthusiasm for the transformative potential of Zebulon, remarked on the site's historical significance, stating, "Zebulon will be the catalyst that transforms an area of our county that was primarily industrial – even home to a former dynamite factory – into a regional draw for families and businesses," as per Douglas County, illustrating the marked change from a past era of industrial utility to a future of recreational and familial enrichment. The initial phase for the Zebulon sports complex plans includes an indoor sports venue with multiple ice rinks, basketball courts, and dedicated complexes for soccer and baseball.
Brock Smethills, President of Sterling Ranch Development Company, expressed gratitude for the partnership, predicting new opportunities for shopping, dining, recreation, and community gatherings sparked by the project, especially since Sterling Ranch alone had not the sufficient support for such developments prior, signaling a turning point for the local economic landscape, which will be augmented, in part, by a wildlife corridor preservation over 200 acres adjacent to Sterling Ranch and Louviers. The project is envisaged to be a model of cost efficiency, drawing upon voter-approved sales tax funds and experienced developers like KT Development, known for their work on the Sport Stable in Superior, Colorado, and other similar projects.
Douglas County's commitment to its natural and historical heritage continues with the earmarking of funds from the Parks, Trails, Open Space, and Historic Resources account, established by a 1994 voter-approved 0.17% sales and use tax. The fund, as outlined by Douglas County, is dedicated to preserving parks, trails, historic resources, and open spaces, ensuring vital community buffers, water quality through land conservation near streams and lakes, and the maintenance of recreational amenities. It stands as a bulwark against the erasure of heritage while promoting community well-being through thoughtful land stewardship.
