The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce is moving forward with a $15,000 study to explore building a 100,000-square-foot regional sports and event complex at the Mattacheese site, a move aimed at capturing millions in off-Cape tournament spending. During a meeting of the Mattacheese Utilization Committee on September 11, local officials and Chamber leaders discussed a potential public-private partnership to address the region’s looming shortage of event space. Paul Niedzwiecki, CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, informed the committee that the Cape stands to lose its largest indoor meeting space when the Emerald Resort in Hyannis closes next year. Niedzwiecki proposed that Yarmouth could offer a ground lease via a Request for Proposals (RFP) process, allowing a private developer to build the facility while granting the town resident access and recreation programming without the burden of annual operating costs.

Mary Vilbon, Director of the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the economic potential of the project, noting that local families currently cross the bridges to find adequate sporting venues. Vilbon told the committee, We would love to see something that has an economic driver in town. We have many businesses that are not seasonal that could benefit. Currently, our families travel off-Cape for sports facilities. We could be bringing families here who stay in our hotels and go to our restaurants year-round. Niedzwiecki added that the facility would likely require a 100,000-square-foot footprint to be viable, warning that if it's too small, you run the risk of just building another Youth and Community Center and competing with that.

The proposal sparked immediate concerns regarding the environmental and logistical impact on the surrounding residential neighborhood. Committee member Lindsay Petro voiced worries about the scale of the project, stating, I’m very concerned with the amount of traffic this would bring, as there are residential neighborhoods across the street. Chair Sharon Wymer noted the site’s sensitivity, pointing out that the entire property sits within a Zone Two wellfield protection area. We need to be thoughtful about stormwater management, parking runoff, and nitrogen, Wymer said, adding that any combination of sports facilities and housing would likely necessitate bringing sewer service to the site. David Botting, a Yarmouth Chamber Board member, was more critical of the location, describing the area as extremely fragile due to nearby town wells and potential light pollution. It’s the wrong spot for this, Botting said.

While the regional facility remains a possibility, Town Recreation Director Steve Reynolds presented data showing that Yarmouth’s existing fields are already at maximum capacity. Reynolds detailed how the Mattacheese site currently serves as a vital hub for basketball, pickleball, and youth programs six to seven days a week during peak season. Weston and Samson looked at our main fields. They concluded we are at capacity, Reynolds said, noting that the Recreation Commission currently favors an expansion plan at Sandy Pond to add soccer and softball fields. Discussion also turned to the financial reality of the Mattacheese school buildings themselves. Consultants from BCS and Catalyst Architects estimated it would cost approximately $22 million to renovate the existing gymnasium and auditorium shell, compared to $27 million for an entirely new build. Member Roi White House questioned the logistics of equipment storage if the site were overhauled, asking, When you use the auditorium, what happens to the items you're storing? Reynolds noted that while the gym is usable, current school facilities lack ADA accessibility on the cardio decks and require significant upgrades.

The committee is currently weighing three distinct "bubble diagrams" for the site’s layout, which include various configurations for housing, recreation, and a potential new site for M.E. Small Elementary School. Consultant Jeff Beg noted that Town Administrator Robert Whritenour requested a plan that places the new school over the existing building footprint. Chair Sharon Wymer reminded the committee that the town is currently balancing several major projects, including the library and regional school builds. Bob Whritenour mentioned there is no money for town-built facilities right now due to the school and library projects, Wymer said. This means if we want a recreation facility soon, it will likely be a public-private partnership. Member John Anderson advocated for exploring a focused layout, stating, I’d love to see a bubble with only sports. Member Casey Schmidt questioned if even the proposed 100,000-square-foot facility would be large enough to survive as a tournament destination through the winter months.

In procedural business, the committee addressed previous clerical errors in their records. Motion Made by R. White House to approve the minutes of November 6, 2024, November 20, 2024, and January 13, 2025. Motion Passed (6-0-0). Chair Sharon Wymer withdrew the January 27 minutes for further corrections. The committee is expected to provide guidance in October on which site plans to develop into formal proposals for the Select Board.