West Wake News

The Holly Springs Town Council is considering the creation of a Sports & Entertainment District around Ting Park. At a recent workshop, the council explored options for transforming about 2.5 acres of town-owned land into a destination that would extend beyond just sporting events.

Sean Ryan, Planning Manager with Holly Springs Development Services, said, “Creating a Sports & Entertainment District at Ting Park is an exciting concept. It's also something that resident feedback supported during the development of the Town’s most recent Comprehensive Plan.” According to Ryan, Ting Park already attracted about 750,000 visitors in 2023, highlighting its existing appeal.

Several conceptual ideas for the district were presented to the council. These include the development of retail spaces in multi-story buildings, potential multi-family residences, a boutique hotel, a festival street, and various entertainment options. The concepts are focused on areas near the stadium, tennis courts, and open fields. The development would involve a public-private partnership, similar to previous downtown projects.

Ryan emphasized that “all of the options for the Sports & Entertainment District at Ting Park are conceptual at this point. We are currently developing an understanding of what resources we may have and what the possibilities could be.” The town plans to seek additional public input as the plans develop and a request for proposals is prepared.

In other developments for Ting Park, the council approved a 10-year licensing agreement with the Holly Springs Baseball Club for the use of the stadium. The Holly Springs Salamanders, playing in the Coastal Plain League, have been successful in drawing fans, averaging more than 33,000 each season over the last four years. This influx of visitors supports local businesses and has a positive economic impact on Holly Springs, according to staff.