Issue link: http://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/791958
CHAPTER 6:SHAPE Prominence of WakeMed Soccer Park The WakeMed Soccer Park is one of Cary's most visited des na ons. In 2011, the park served an es mated 160,000 people and resulted in $2.1 million of spending within the Town. There is an opportunity to expand the park into a Tier-1 soccer facility that at a minimum, would support the growing popularity of the professional team that currently plays there and build upon the economic impact of increased a endance on game or event days and possibly provide a venue capable of a rac ng a major league soccer team. The Soccer Park sits on land leased from the state. At some point, either the lease will need to be renewed or outright purchase of the land will need to be nego ated for either the Town, Wake County, the professional soccer team, or other related en ty. As the Eastern Cary Gateway evolves over me, it will be important to maintain and enhance the Soccer Park and the Town of Cary's reputa on as a professional and amateur sports des na on. Continuing Success of Triangle Aquatic Center Campus The nonprofit Triangle Aqua c Center, located northeast of Cary Towne Center, serves an average of 420,000 visitors a year and is the #1 des na on venue for aqua c events in the state. It generates more than $5,000,000 in economic benefits for Wake County each year, and is home to the TAC Titans - a top-50 ranked USA swim team with 600 swimmers, most of whom live in Cary. With the poten al addi on of a deep diving well - the only such facility in the United States not a ached to a university - and the opportunity for Walnut Creek Park trails, Cary can host events in the area and serve as a year round training facility for both aqua cs and triathlon. The WPTF Transmi er building (shown on the le ) and the State Laboratory of Hygiene Complex (shown on the right) are two historic proper es located in Eastern Cary Gateway on Chatham Street that are architecturally and culturally significant proper es. 118