Zebulon Sports Complex: Half a Billion Dollars — Without Your Vote?

Tonight (3/31), the Douglas County Commissioners are moving forward with critical decisions on the proposed Zebulon Regional Sports Complex — a project that could ultimately put hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer-backed debt on the line.

The meeting begins at 5:00 PM at the Philip S. Miller Building in Castle Rock. Public comment registration begins at 4:15 PM.

This is not a routine vote.

This is a defining moment for transparency, accountability, and respect for taxpayers.

What’s Being Proposed

Phase One of the Zebulon Sports Complex is currently estimated at $65M–$85M — but total costs could grow to nearly half a billion dollars when infrastructure, financing, and future phases are included.

Tonight, commissioners are considering several major actions:

• A $2.7 million contract for Phase 1 design and programming

• A $12+ million infrastructure agreement tied to site development

• A financial advisory contract to structure long-term financing

• A resolution to move forward with Certificates of Participation (COPs)

These are not small steps — they are foundational commitments that move this project closer to long-term taxpayer obligations.

The Financing Question: Why This Matters

The County is proposing to use Certificates of Participation (COPs) to finance this project.

COPs allow governments to take on long-term debt without voter approval.

Let that sink in.

At a time when Douglas County leaders have emphasized fiscal responsibility and being “debt-free,” this approach raises serious concerns. If this project is truly a priority for our community, then the people who will ultimately pay for it should have a voice.

Half a billion dollars in public risk should not be decided through procedural workarounds.

Transparency and Accountability Are Not Optional

I believe in investing in our community.

I support parks, youth sports, and spaces that bring families together. These are important investments in our future.

But I also believe:

• Taxpayers deserve full transparency on total project costs

• The public deserves clarity on infrastructure and long-term obligations

• Major financial commitments should come with public input and trust

Right now, too many questions remain unanswered:

• What is the true total cost of this project over time?

• How will ongoing operations and maintenance be funded?

• Why were key contracts proposed without clear competitive bidding transparency?

• Was there a full feasibility study to justify this scale and location?

These are not minor details — they are fundamental responsibilities of good governance.

Why You Should Show Up

Decisions like this shape the financial future of Douglas County for decades.

If we’re asking taxpayers to carry this level of risk, they deserve a seat at the table.

🕔 Meeting Time: 5:00 PM

📍 Location: Philip S. Miller Building, 100 Third St., Castle Rock

📝 Public Comment Sign-Up: Begins at 4:15 PM (2-minute limit)

Let’s Do This the Right Way

This is not about being for or against a sports complex.

It’s about how we make decisions of this magnitude.

We can invest in our community and uphold transparency.

We can plan for the future and respect taxpayers.

But we must do both.

Douglas County residents deserve a voice — especially when the price tag reaches into the hundreds of millions.

Learn More

For additional background and analysis, I encourage you to read this detailed breakdown:

👉 https://www.irenebonham.com/blog/half-a-billion-dollars-without-a-vote

Real leadership means earning public trust — not working around it.