Idea of building a stadium that would also be a tourist draw is
intriguing and should be looked into with the idea that residents
come first
The idea of a public-private partnership with a group like Big League Dreams to operate a softball complex at the newly opened Sports Park in south Gilroy is intriguing.
The company has a proven formula that has worked in several other California cities. According to reporter Serdar Tumgoren’s recent story, Big League Dreams’ “core business [is] youth baseball and adult softball, combined with revenues from a family-style restaurant, business advertising and corporate events” and uses “computer-generated graphics to replicate the look and feel of famous ballparks.”
Having a faux Fenway Park or Yankee Stadium in our backyard would be cool.
But that’s not all. They also provide batting cages, roller hockey, soccer and indoor sports venues.
The city of Redding, where Big League Dreams built a $14-million facility, attributes $16 million in new tourism revenue to the new park.
The possible pluses are numerous. Such a facility could hasten the expansion of the Sports Park, now slated to take decades. Hastening that expansion means that Gilroy residents can use those fields years sooner.
The facility would attract out-of-towners for tournaments. Such a draw would increase business at local restaurants, gas stations, hotels and stores, improving sales for local business owners and improving tax revenues for the city.
That revenue could be designated for expanded recreation programs.
City Council member Dion Bracco is enthused. “It’s just unbelievable what this company has done,” Bracco said. “If this is as good as I think it’s going to be, I would really like to see it moved on fast.”
So is Gilroy Little League President Christine Drysdale. “They have a good reputation and they’ve been around a long time,” she said. “Not just that, but tournaments would bring so many people to stay in our hotels and eat in our restaurants. I can’t see any negatives.”
There is one significant downside: The fields don’t do Gilroy residents much good if they’re constantly being used by out-of-town players.
In the upcoming analysis, city officials should look at how other cities have ensured priority resident access to the facilities and make sure that any public-private partnership protects access by Gilroyans.
On the face of it, this looks like a promising way to expand Gilroy’s sports park sooner rather than later while also boosting the city’s economy. Let’s evaluate the company’s track record, and if a deal is struck, make sure it hinges on Gilroy residents coming first.
