The Town of Cary recently released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for architectural, engineering and design firms or teams to apply to be considered to build a brand-new Community Recreation and Sports Center in the space that has been South Hills Mall & Plaza.

The RFQ mentions that the purpose of the facility is to “attract and host new youth, collegiate, amateur and professional sports events to Wake County and will feature 12 basketball courts or 20 volleyball courts. It is designed for maximum flexibility, with half of the court space convertible to an arena with a 4,000-seat capacity.”

The RFQ also mentions as one of our objectives that the center will “achieve the goals of the [Greater Raleigh] Convention and Visitors Bureau to increase regional and national tourism and qualify for hotel occupancy funding.”

Here's what the Cary Community Recreation and Sports Center calls for:

  • Approximately 100,000 square feet of competition space
  • 12 full-sized basketball courts (convertible to 20 full-sized volleyball courts)
  • Capability to transform a portion of competition space into a 4,000-seat arena for championship games, esports tournaments and non-athletic performances
  • Approximately 25,000 square feet of multipurpose space for event support, tournament meetings, exhibit space, walkthroughs etc.
  • Dedicated room/meeting space for esports practice with infrastructure to support esports technical requirements
  • Full-sized team locker rooms with showers
  • Full-service restaurant
  • Commercial kitchen space for events and catering
  • Weight room/workout facilities
  • Elevated walking track
  • Ample storage space for all sports equipment and supplies.

“This is the one piece that has been missing in our sports venue inventory for years now," said Scott Dupree, executive director of the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, "and I am thrilled that this project is now moving forward. I am confident that the demand for a major, multipurpose indoor sports complex will be tremendous, and it will be year-round. Cary’s vision is to make this venue the best of its kind in the nation, and it will change the sports event landscape of this region in a very significant way.”