Sports complex study: Local needs come first

November 05, 2012, 9:00 pm by Adam Troxtell

The study, which began last spring, will now go before council members, who will make the ultimate decision of whether or not to move ahead with constructing a sports complex. The commissioners said while they believe the feasibility study was comprehensive and they don’t completely oppose building any kind of new recreational facility, some questioned the exact figures regarding how much money would come to the city by hosting soccer or baseball tournaments.

"The study is thorough and very optimistic,” commissioner Bob Fallis said. "I don’t trust those figures. I don’t believe we can put on that many tournaments in a year. If we’re looking to satisfy our own needs, our needs are not that great. As far as numbers go, I’m willing to accept most, but not all, of the feasibility study.”

The results from surveying company Baker-Aicklen and Associates’ feasibility study showed just the first two phases of the sports complex project – which includes building baseball, soccer and tennis playing surfaces – would cost close to $10 million and produce between $41,000 and $56,000 of net income by 2014, but only under optimal conditions. This includes hosting 26 camps or clinics, as well as tournaments that would bring in tourists.

Reader Comments

I love that, under optimal conditions it will produce net income. Translation: Going to LOSE money....Bunch of idiots with OUR money..... IDIOTS I say...
November 06, 2012, 9:38am by billy

To include Tennis courts is idiotic. GS is building a tennis center or at least they were at one time.. Baseball?. Fix the fields they have.. Soccer.Really??. Instead of spending money on Sports junk why not use the money and fix the neglected streets on the west side of town. There are a few on the east side that need repairs as well.
November 06, 2012, 5:18pm by Roy