Commissioners Mark Thomas, Chuck Horton and John Daniell listen to a presentation by Kemper sports at the Oconee County board of commissioners general meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. Kemper sports, a sports facilities consulting firm, presented the potential economic impact the proposed 90,000 square-foot sports facility at Dawson Park will have on the local economy. (Photo/Emily Laycock)
Oconee County eases alcohol ordinance and considers big investment in youth sports
By Emily Laycock
The Oconee County board of commissioners on Tuesday night approved a reduction in alcohol distance limits and discussed a large-scale youth sports project expected to boost tourism.
Commissioners approved an amendment to the alcohol beverage ordinance that will now allow establishments selling beer, wine and distilled spirits to operate within 300 feet of nearby schools or churches. The previous requirement mandated a 600-foot distance.
Martha Rodriguez, owner and manager of Costa Alegre, a family-owned Mexican seafood restaurant in Watkinsville, spoke to the board in support of the amendment, stating her restaurant would face significant financial hardship if the amendment is not passed.
“Without the amendment being passed we could have been drastically affected and potentially in the near future have to close since it was going to impact our sales so much. So we are happy to know they hear us and that they see us and that we are here to stay,” said Rodriguez after Tuesday night’s meeting.
The board also reviewed the potential economic impact of a proposed 90,000-square-foot indoor sports complex and a series of new multi-purpose athletic fields planned for the future Dawson Park on Rocky Branch Road. The discussion focused on a feasibility study conducted by Kemper Sports, a sports facilities consulting firm. The presentation emphasized the economic benefits of the proposed facilities, including potential growth in the local economy driven by growing youth sports tourism.
Kemper Sports representatives stated the project could generate as much as $26 million in indirect economic impact within its first five years.
Commissioner Amrey Harden, raised concerns about the financial burden the project could place on the county and questioned whether Oconee County would fully benefit from the investment. He noted that the county lacks the tourism infrastructure to support large tournaments, which would result in visitors spending money in surrounding cities.
“It’s going to be a major impact to the community. Our millage rate will have to go up, which means taxes to individuals here in the county will go up as a result of that,” Commissioner Mark Thomas said. “And so, you know, if there's a way to mitigate it so that you don't have a huge impact on the taxes, that's what personally I would like to see done.”
Commissioners, despite these concerns, agreed that the need for expanded recreation facilities is undeniable, as the proposed facilities will help meet both current demand and future growth of Oconee County.
“What we’re talking about is going to help people, it's going to help Dairy Queen, it's going to help all these small businesses,” said Commissioner Chuck Horton during Tuesday night’s meeting. “I don't know what the dollar amount is going to be, but let's do what we got to do to protect our kids.”
The board aims to finalize the plans by the first or second quarter of next year and begin site work by July.
Why I Wrote This Story
This article highlights two issues with tangible impacts on Oconee County residents: the proposed changes to the alcohol ordinance and the addition of sports facilities at Dawson Park. Covering a county meeting for the first time presented a learning curve, but it provided valuable lessons in preparing ahead, locating relevant local government information, and managing time effectively during the meeting