Coastal Carolina University scores land for new soccer complex

Coastal Carolina University has some of the land needed for a new soccer and track complex on campus.

The university’s Board of Trustees accepted a 19 acre donation from the Horry County Higher Education Commission where a proposed soccer and track facility may be constructed.

The board approved hiring an architecture firm earlier this year – with the university’s wish list for the stadium – and preliminary designs should hit the university in 60 to 90 days, said Delan Stevens, board member.

“They’ll do a wish list of items that they’d like to have, and they’re going to price it out for us,” said Rein Mungo, director of university projects and planning. “They know what we’re looking for.”

The complex will likely include a field for athletes, structures for fans and media and a support facility, as well as men’s and women’s locker rooms. CCU is looking to house the new facility near the new tennis complex across U.S. 501 on Century Circle in the Atlantic Center.

The Student Housing Foundation – which operates exclusively to build and manage student housing – is working on acquiring 26.7 acres, which the board plans to use for the new facility, said Carlos Johnson, gubernatorial designee on the board.

After the foundation buys the land, the university will lease the parcel until the foundation donates the land for the facility, Johnson said. The lease will commence the day the land is purchased by the foundation and will be in effect for one year, or if/until the foundation formally donates it to the college, Johnson said.

“We anticipate it will all go smoothly,” Johnson said.

Natasha Hanna, board member, said she’s concerned accepting a donation from the Student Housing Foundation might be harmful to future Coastal students. Hanna wants to make sure the university has enough money to fund a new soccer and track complex without having to raise tuition or housing costs.

“As long as I have the commitment that we don’t have a money problem, that we’re not going to increase housing costs for another 10 years, then I’m good,” Hanna said.

Wyatt Henderson, board chairman, said the land deal will not result in increased tuition. He also added that housing costs should remain stable for at least 10 years.

“The cost of the soccer stadium is not going to cost this university a dime,” Henderson said. “It’s already money that’s accounted for.”

The Student Housing Foundation gifted the university $3.5 million for the new complex – which the board approved in October – and Coastal also received a $1.5 million gift earlier this year from a parent that will be put toward the new complex.

Even if the land isn’t used for the new stadium, the university wants the land for other uses, according to Oran Smith, board member.

“If this makes [Hanna] more comfortable, we want this land, no matter what,” Smith said.

The capital project plan, which is estimated to cost about $5 million, was approved by the board in October. The cost is based on estimates by Coastal staff and the real cost will be decided once architects’ estimates are proposed, Johnson said.

“While this is quite a bit of money, we have to remember this is not just for soccer,” Henderson said. “There will be other sports in there too, so many people will benefit from this new complex.”

The Finance, Planning and Facilities Committee made a motion to approve the donation from the higher education commission as well as accepting the lease from the housing foundation. The full board of trustees unanimously approved the motions Friday morning.

This story was originally published December 11, 2015 at 2:36 PM with the headline "Coastal Carolina University scores land for new soccer complex."