Sports Facilities Companies will manage the West Chester Baseball Complex this year at a cost of $15,000 per month. WEST CHESTER TWP./CONTRIBUTED
It will cost West Chester Twp. about $336,000 in operational expenses for its baseball complex, which will be managed by Sports Facilities Companies.
Those costs would be paid from interest income, not property tax dollars.
The operational cost includes staffing, grounds and facility maintenance, utilities, and other similar expenses, according to a memo by Mike Huxsoll, director of public works and community services.
Sports Facilities Companies will be paid a management fee of $15,000 per month. Up to another $250,000 will be spent this year on capital improvements to help get the facility operational.
That money will be spent to make improvements to fields and buildings, along with adding equipment for concessions, and the purchase of grounds maintenance tools.
Last December trustees selected SFC to manage its four-field baseball complex after contract renewal discussions with Kings Sports, the previous operators, broke down.
The township cited issues that included excessive deferred maintenance, limited financial transparency, lower than expected hotel demand and lack of community access or programming.
In a business plan proposal presented last month, SFC outlined specific improvements, agreed to provide regular financial updates with contract language allowing trustees and staff to review expenditures and provide oversight.
“Sports Facilities Companies has a strong track record of revitalizing comparable facilities and turning them into highly efficient and valuable assets,” said Lisa Brown, township administrator.
“We are confident that this new collaborative management approach will allow for local control and oversight, while providing a team of national experts to run day-to-day operations.”
The goal for 2027 is to break even on operating costs and revenue. This year there is expected to be a net operating deficit of $156,000 because of the transition between operators that caused scheduling to be delayed, said Brianna Wooten, township spokeswoman.
“The baseball complex is a valuable community asset. Our goal is to turn the baseball complex into a highly utilized facility that serves the community while also attracting regional visitors to drive our local economy,” said Trustee Ann Becker.
“We look forward to working with SFC to improve operations and financial performance, while also creating more community access and benefit.”