January 30, 2003

League City City Council

In a unanimous vote at last Tuesday night’s League City City Council meeting, the city has agreed to accept the initial 90 days of a 15-month contract presented by California-based Big League Dreams Sports Parks.  The decision to move forward came after a presentation made by Big League Dreams representatives in a special meeting held earlier that evening.

Big League Dreams builds and manages sports stadiums that are inspired by major sports stadiums such as Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, and Yankee Stadium, and  are designed to fit the needs of the community they serve. They can provide facilities for such sports as baseball, softball, indoor and outdoor soccer, flag football, volleyball, basketball, and inline hockey. They can even support music venues. There are three successful parks in California, including Cathedral City, Mira Loma, and Chino Hills.  League City will have the first Big League Dreams stadium in Texas, and the only one in the Houston/Galveston metropolitan area.  

“Big League Dreams is extremely excited to be a part of League City, and we look forward to bringing a high level of recreation experience to its citizens,” said Big League Dreams Chief Operating Officer Jeff Odekirk.

“A venue such as this meets our economic development goals by providing a tourist destination," said League City Economic Development Coordinator Doug Frazior.  "People visiting here for tournaments will sleep in our hotels, buy from our shops, and eat in our restaurants.  Additionally, it spurs economic development growth in the form of new restaurants and hotels.  That generates more tax revenue, supports local economy, and creates more jobs”

The 90-day phase of the contract will include the following actions:

Conceptualizing: Review and evaluation of land options and features and amenities of the Sports Park.

Preliminary design: Architectural design and site layout alternatives.

Site development concerns: Environmental, traffic, grading, and drainage.

Financial forecasting: Five year and thirty-five year income/expense estimates.

Economic impact: assist in the development of travel and tourism plans for the stimulation of economic development associated with the project.

Financing options.