GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Greenville Triumph and Liberty soccer club's new stadium was announced a few weeks ago. The 10,000 seat multi-purpose stadium is set to be built at Mauldin's Bridgeway Station.
During Monday's Finance Committee meeting project leaders outlined the projected impact and why they need funding from the county to help.
"We have always been known as a crossroad community or a pass-through community, a place you drive through on your way somewhere else," said City of Mauldin Mayor, Terry Merritt.
But, Merritt says his city's reputation could be renewed. The key is bringing the cheers of Triumph and Liberty soccer fans near Bridgeway Station.
"You want to activate that new stadium as much as you can, not just for Greenville Triumph, not just for the women's team, the Liberty, but for schools, for CESA, United FC," said Joe Erwin, the Chairman for Greenville Triumph Soccer Club.
The proposed multi-use stadium has been a work in progress since 2020. Greenville Pro Soccer, and Bridgeway Station developers are partnering to build it by 2026. The estimated price tag is anywhere between $80 to $100 million.
It'll be funded in part by their own private investment as well as the state, city of Mauldin and possibly the county.
"We wouldn't come asking for new tax money, but using the existing Hospitality Tax receipts that are there, and they're supposed to get used to reinvest in infrastructure to drive tourism dollars. So it really just makes sense," Erwin said.
They asked council's finance committee for $14 million from the hospitality tax which is charged for every meal and beverage purchase in the county. Erwin says the county's cut will help pay for amenities like concert infrastructure, extra locker rooms, private suites and field protection.
They estimate this stadium would generate $300 million within the first 10 years and the county would get their investment back quickly.
Two years ago they asked the same council committee for $38 million to help build the stadium and didn't get it. Councilman Ennis Fant was one of the "no" votes then, because it would have required a tax increase.
"I like the project. We just got to figure out if $14 million dollars is available and how do we come up with it? And how do we pay for it? As long as we can do it without a tax increase," Fant said.
Erwin says with or without the county's help the project will move forward, because the longer they wait the more expensive it will be.
"We're going forward. We may not have everything we want the day we open," he said.
The committee did not vote or take any action Monday night. We'll continue to follow this story as things develop.