Winchester, Kentucky, City Commission Meeting: Sports Complex Study, Youth Program, and New City Manager – October 20, 2026

The 4:30 p.m. session of the Winchester city meeting on October 20, 2026, included an introduction of the new city manager, a presentation on a youth entrepreneurship program, and a detailed feasibility study presentation on a proposed indoor sports complex. No agenda or minutes were provided; this summary is based on the raw transcript. The meeting adjourned by unanimous voice vote and was followed two minutes later by a scheduled 5:30 p.m. session.

City Manager Update

• New City Manager Chris, identified as the former fire chief, said his first days had been 'awesome' and that he was grateful for commission support and for the mentorship of outgoing City Manager Mr. Flynn.
• The Mayor explained that Mr. Flynn had been elected as a magistrate on the fiscal court and therefore could not continue as city manager; Chris was not new to the community or staff.

Youth Entrepreneurship Program — Launch Lab

• A nonprofit leader described the Winchester Clark Entrepreneur Academy and its Launch Lab program, which teaches children ages 13 to 15 how to start businesses.
• Enrollment: 40 children currently involved; the program is free and plans to expand to ages 7 to 12 and add an online program.
• Two upcoming events were described: a soft launch marketplace at the Carlton Community Center where youth will sell products and services, and a pitch night before judges, including the mayor; the grand prize is $250, the runner-up gets $100, and there are special rewards.
• Youth products and services mentioned included a book, detailing services, 3D printing, fashion design, and a reusable trash bag with a 'pivot' design.
• The presenter noted that volunteers and coaches have come forward on their own; the Mayor and commissioners responded positively and said they looked forward to the event.

Sports Complex Feasibility Study

• A representative of a sports facilities consulting firm presented a feasibility study for an indoor sports complex in Winchester, funded by a $20,000 grant from the Clark County Community Foundation plus city funds.
• The presenter described the youth sports tourism market as a $60.1 billion industry, roughly twice the size of the NFL, with 227.6 million youth sports travelers annually.
• The firm manages 143 facilities across the country and employs about 5,000 people, using operating data from those facilities for financial forecasts.
• Proposed facility program: 8 basketball courts / 16 volleyball courts, convertible to 24 pickleball courts; 60,000+ square feet of court space; full-size indoor turf; about 15,000 square feet of family entertainment; and about 5,000 square feet for sports medicine, expandable to 8,000–12,000 square feet with a health system partner.
• Key projected figures at maturity/year five: $57.7 million mid-range construction cost; 272,000 annual visitors; $3.7 million in top-line revenue; 31,000 annual room nights from non-local visitors; 131,000 non-local visitors annually. The presenter first cited direct spending of $22.1 million and later cited $21.1 million; the transcript contains both figures.
• Non-local visitors were defined as those traveling from beyond a 19-minute drive from the site.
• Regional market analysis found 247 local facilities within an hour's drive; in a four-hour drive area, only four large 8+ court indoor sports tourism facilities exist, none in Kentucky, compared with 20 multi-purpose field facilities and 15 diamond facilities.
• Case studies included a Kansas community of roughly 200,000 that used sales-tax revenue bonds to pair a 460,000-square-foot indoor complex with retail, hotels, and a hospital/naming-rights partner. The presenter also cited Mattoon, Illinois, population about 15,000–16,000, which developed an indoor/outdoor complex for roughly $66 million, possibly exceeding $75 million with outdoor fields.
• The presenter described a daytime 'access' program to bus local students into the facility when it would otherwise be unused, plus flexible space for community events such as concerts, graduations, and home shows.
• City leadership said the project must be a public-private partnership and should not place the city or county under general obligation bond debt for a roughly $60 million facility. An indoor facility is seen as the first phase, with possible future outdoor fields.
• The proposed site's connection to the Mountain Parkway was highlighted as a regional asset, with potential state funding and possible interest from neighboring counties such as Powell and Estill.

Key Outcomes

• No formal action was taken on the sports complex; the study was presented as the first step in an ongoing conversation.
• Next steps discussed included site evaluation, partnership development with private investors, hospital and healthcare systems, user groups, and continued talks with landowners and the parks department.
• Commissioners expressed excitement and support for moving the project forward while noting the need to find private investment.
• The commission unanimously approved adjournment of the 4:30 p.m. session on a motion by Commissioner Chennault, seconded by Commissioner Strode; the 5:30 p.m. session was scheduled to begin two minutes later.