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November 18, 2002 Page 477 the Institute of Government. He stated the selection was made not only by the faculty members but also by Mr. Lentz's fellow students, thus demonstrating strong academic work as well as excellent personal relationship skills. On behalf of the Association, Mr. Aycock presented the Outstanding Graduate Award to Mr. Lentz. The Board congratulated Mr. Lentz on receiving the prestigious award. (D) OLD BUSINESS (D-l) World Sports Center Pro~ect Proposal Update Mr. Clifton presented a brief update on the World Sports Center Project. He stated the City of Kannapolis is the lead on the project, and the Kannapolis City Manager is negotiating with the landowners concerning the purchase of the proposed site. There have been reports that the option held by a developer (Childress Klein) has expired and the owners are not interested in an extended option period. Further, Mr. Clifton stated the Tourism Authority Board of Directors (Cabarrus Convention and Visitors Bureau) had discussed the current proposal with members of the hotel community. Both the Tourism Board and the hotel representatives generally endorsed the project in concept and are waiting for specific proposals and details to come back. In conclusion, Mr. Clifton said recent news articles have reported the developer is looking at a site in Lancaster County, South Carolina for the track and field facility. Mr. Joe Phelps, Chairman of the Tourism Authority Board of Directors, reported on the recent meeting with representatives from the hotel community. He stated the hotel representatives had voted unanimously to support the use of the two percent hotel (occupancy) tax for the indoor track and field facility in its current concept. Mr. Phelps also reported that the Tourism Board had adopted a motion stating its support of the project as presented and its support for the City of Kannapolis as it pursues efforts to purchase the property. There was discussion regarding the proposed world sports center project and the use of two percent of the hotel tax to fund the land purchase. Issues addressed by the Board included the following: (1) the positive impact of the facility on the hotel industry; (2) the discussions by the negotiating team that was appointed in August by the Board and the Kannapolis City Council; and (3) the role of the City of Kannapclis and the Convention and Visitor's Bureau in pursuing the project. During the discussion, Mr. Phelps also responded to questions concerning a proposed hotel/convention center project by the City of Concord. He stated the Tourism Board had supported in concept the City's request that the hotel tax generated by that facility be returned to the City to offset debt service and operating costs of -the convention center. Commissioner Fennel reported that the developers have received other offers and Cabarrus County is now in a 50-50 situation of being able to attract the facility to the county. Stating the developers are gathering information concerning possible locations, Commissioner Fennel proposed the following letter outlining the Board's support of the project: November 18, 2002 Mr. Ken Lingafelt South East Developers, LLC 5555 Concord Parkway South, Suite 409 Concord, NC 28027 Dear Mr. Lingafelt: The Commissioners of Cabarrus County are excited about your consideration to locate the World Sports Center here in our county and in the City of Kannapolis. The property that you are considering is THE prime commercial location in the Charlotte Metro area (and some say the Eastern United States) for a track and field center of this nature. It is directly on Interstate 85 with tremendous visibility at the intersection with the new Kannapolis Boulevard, which will become the gateway to Kannapolis. It is only a few miles from the World Famous Lowes Motor Speedway, where twice a year the world descends on Cabarrus County as the home of NASCAR racing.