Charles County delegation hears Waldorf sports complex update; county has set aside $55 million

Delegate Deborah Davis convened a Jan. 23 meeting of the Charles County delegation where staff summarized plans for the Waldorf Sports and Wellness Center, a project planned for the former Sears space at the St. Charles Mall.

Danielle Mitchell, identified in the meeting as a staff attorney working with the delegation, told members the project is “approximately $100,000,000” and that “the county has identified or set aside 55,000,000 dollars towards that project.” She said the Maryland Stadium Authority is conducting an economic‑impact study and expects results in the October–November timeframe.

Mitchell said the delegation had been asked to support legislation that would authorize the Maryland Stadium Authority to manage construction and fund a portion of the facility. “In order for the Maryland Stadium Authority actually [to] manage the construction and fund a portion of the facility, we would need that to be a legislative act,” she said, and offered to draft suggested language for a one‑line authorization.

Delegate Davis asked members to consider whether the delegation should ask for a letter of support or carry legislation; members suggested a private briefing and a site visit for any member unfamiliar with the facility before any final vote. Delegate Davis said she would draft the LR (legislative request) language and bring it back for further discussion and a vote.

The briefing clarified next steps rather than creating a binding authorization: the economic‑impact study and a subsequent legislative action would determine the Maryland Stadium Authority’s role and any State funding commitments. Members asked staff to bring a draft LR back to the delegation for review.

The delegation did not take a formal vote on authorization at the Jan. 23 meeting; members agreed to follow up after the study and after staff produce draft legislative language.