Research Study: Municipal Athletic Complex

Transcription

1 Research Study: Municipal Athletic Complex St. Cloud, MN July 2016

2 Table of Contents Introduction Page 3 Ice Arenas, Hockey and Figure Skating... Page 5 Baseball.. Page 22 Golf Page 35 Multipurpose Facilities... Page 40 Conclusion Page 50 Sources Page 52 Acknowledgments: A special thank you to Tony Goddard, Director, Community Services and Facilities, City of St. Cloud, MN for commissioning this research in March Numerous people responded to requests for information. These people are not mentioned in this document, but we are grateful for their help. The primary research work was done by SCSU School of Public Affairs Research Institute project assistants Paul Ryan, Alex Franta, and Joseph Kucan. For inquiries, please contact: Rich MacDonald Interim Director, School of Public Affairs Research Institute St. Cloud State University ramacdonald@stcloudstate.edu 2

3 Introduction The Municipal Athletic Complex (MAC) in St. Cloud, MN is described on its website ( as follows: Arenas The Municipal Athletic Complex (MAC), located on the north-western side of St. Cloud, is comprised of two ice sheets, two baseball stadiums and an executive par 30 public golf course. The original ice sheet opened for business in November of For over 15 years, the MAC was the only sheet within a 30 mile radius. Originally, the MAC hosted three area high schools, St. Cloud State and St. John's University hockey programs, plus the areas youth hockey and figure skating organizations. With the increase in skating over the last 12 years, St. Cloud has seen ice sheets added to St. Cloud State University and the Benton County Fairgrounds. Having served its customers for over 20 years, usage was starting to wear on the MAC. In 1994 the MAC went through an extensive renovation. During the renovation the MAC never missed a day of business. Patrons of the MAC were very understanding and patient with the renovation process. After the final touches of the renovation were finished, MAC patrons saw an aging building become revitalized and given a new look and new features. Added to the MAC were new locker rooms, seating for 1,800, dasher boards, restrooms, office and meeting space, concession stands and additional 3,000+ square foot mezzanine. The last touch was to provide a fresh coat of paint and a bright new color scheme. Only two years after its renovation, the MAC broke ground for its second sheet of ice. In December of 1997 the MAC opened its second arena which is parallel to the original ice sheet. Similar in function to the original sheet of ice but scaled down in size, this wonderful rink complements the main sheet very well. The new arena was designed to work with the original building so it could be used as one large facility or be separated into two separate arenas. On July 23, 1998 the original arena was named and dedicated as Dave Torrey Arena and the second sheet was named and dedicated as Ritsche Arena. Currently the two arenas are kept busy nearly year round. The arenas hosts five high school teams, (3 boys - 2 girls), the St. Cloud Youth Hockey Association, the St. Cloud Figure Skating Club and several hockey schools, camps and leagues. Over 3,000 blocks of ice time are booked by groups each year. This type of impact brings an estimated 200,000 persons through the doors annually. Baseball The initial baseball field, which is known today as Dick Putz Field was opened in 1971 for baseball. Over the next 40 years Dick Putz Field has gone under several upgrades and renovations, making it one of the finest fields in the Nation. In 1993, Dick Putz Field was honored by the National High School Coaches Association as recipient of its 1993 "Field of the Year". In 1998, the addition of Joe Faber Field made the MAC a unique complex with two beautiful regulation size baseball fields side-by-side. Each year the two fields average over 400 games between the two of them. Teams from the area high schools, colleges, VFWs, Legions and amateur leagues make up the groups using these two fields. Each year the field host several prestigious tournaments starting with the State Class "AA" tournament, sandwiched by Legion and Amateur tournaments and winding up with St. Cloud Rox playoffs and Amateur state tournament qualification games. The MAC hosts the St. Cloud Rox which is a team from the collegiate "wooden bat" Northwoods League. The Rox play 35+ games a year each summer. In 1998 the MAC opened its second stadium, Joe Faber Field. This field lies directly to the north of Dick Putz Field. 3

4 The two full facility stadiums, only 200 feet apart, make for an excellent situation for hosting tournaments, playoff games and state tournaments Golf The Veterans Public Golf Course was taken over by the City of St. Cloud from the V.A. Hospital in Since that time, the MAC has made significant strides on making course improvements. Then in 1997 the MAC made arrangements with the V.A. Medical Center to lease the property for a period of 35 years. This arrangement allowed the City of St. Cloud to renovate the course to its current executive par 30 status. In March 2016, the School of Public Affairs Research Institute (SOPARI) at St. Cloud State University (SCSU) was asked to undertake some market research for the MAC. Among the goals of the study were to look at trends in participation in the four key sports hosted by the MAC ice hockey, figure skating, baseball, and golf as well as to collect information from other facilities around the region that have ice arenas, baseball fields, and golf courses. This task included reaching out to area cities to determine future plans for additional athletic facilities in the next 10 years. A couple of limiting factors have served as constraints on the depth and breadth of the research presented in this report. First, much of the data used in a study of this nature is not publically available. The time frame, scope, and budget for this project necessarily prevented the use of any proprietary data. Second, the organizations and other stakeholders contacted by project researchers were not always willing or able to provide requested information. In some cases, organizations attempted to assist in the study but simply didn t have the data collected in a reportable format. In other cases, information was promised but was not yet delivered at the time the report was being written. Finally, some officials didn t respond to requests. Nevertheless, the research presented in this report will help frame discussions about trends in sports participation and will help inform decisions at the MAC. Changing demographics, availability of similar facilities in neighboring communities, and competing demands on public budgets are all part of the challenges faced by the MAC and other facilities of its type. The study proceeds with a section on the ice arenas. Most of this discussion is on ice hockey, although some facts on figure skating are also presented. Separate sections on baseball and golf follow. The report ends with a discussion of multipurpose facilities and a conclusion. Sources appear at the end of the report. Two appendixes on sample Northwoods League financial statements and general information about each Northwoods League team were reported separately. 4

5 Ice Arenas, Hockey, and Figure Skating Arena Descriptions Some facilities make data openly available, while others provide a more limited set of information. A range of different accounting procedures used by similar facilities can make direct comparison of arena information particularly challenging. In particular, cost data are not typically available to the public, but pricing and revenue information is more easily obtained. A sample of this information for different facilities is provided below. Andover Community Center (Andover): The construction of the Andover community center began in 2004 and was completed in The facility is managed by the Recreational Facility Manager with oversight by a Community Center Advisory Board. The community center has a gymnasium, community rooms, an ice arena and a food court. The YMCA is a long-term tenant of the building and runs the pool and the training facility. The ice arena has one sheet of ice and can hold 1,500 people with standing room included. The arena has 6 locker rooms in total, two of which are for the boys and girls high school teams. The arena has 27 total employees. Three full time staff and twenty four part time employees. There are twelve Zamboni drivers, eight front desk workers, three skate guards, and one employee who works part time but receives a few benefits. Over the past few years the rental rates for the arena have risen steadily. Type of Ice 2009/ / / / / / /2016 Ice Time -Prime $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Ice Time - Non Prime $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Open Skating - Adult $4.00 $4.00 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 Open skating - Youth $3.00 $3.00 $4.00 $4.00 $4.00 $4.00 $4.00 Skate Sharpening $3.00 $4.00 $4.00 $4.00 $4.00 $4.00 $4.00 Skate Rental N/A N/A N/A $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 Year Hours Revenue $339, $354, $358,

6 Since 2009, the price of prime ice rental has increased 13.1 percent for the arena and the nonprime rate increased 7.1 percent. The top four renters for the Andover Arena by share of hours rented are provided below for the three most recent years. Andover Community Center programming has taken up 17.5 percent of ice time over the last three years on average and it brings in almost zero revenue. Andover Community Center Top 4 Ice Users 2013/2014 Renter Hours Revenue Share of Hours Share of Revenue AHYHA $163, % 48% Private Hockey $73, % 21.7% ACC Programming $ % 0% Anoka/Hennepin $71, % 21.0% 2014/2015 Renter Hours Revenue Share of Hour Share of Revenue AHYHA $165, % 46.7% Private Hockey $87, % 24.6% ACC Programming $ % 0% Anoka/Hennepin 388 $75, % 21.2% 2015/2016 Renter Hours Revenue Share of Hours Share of Rev AHYHA $172, % 48.1% Private Hockey $83, % 23.3% ACC Programming $ % 0% Anoka/Hennepin 388 $75, % 21% 6

7 Lake of the Woods Arena (Baudette): Two officials were contacted but had not yet provided information when this report was being prepared. Essentia Health Sports Center (Brainerd): Rink info is not available. They do not give out financial information Brainerd Youth Hockey description: Recruitment and retention are a singular focus for the youth association. The volunteers go line by line through their registrations to make sure they know who is coming back and who probably won t be coming back. This gives the organization the ability to set fees appropriately and budget for the coming year. For the past 5-6 years, registration for the youth program has totaled The number of ice hours rented by the association typically reaches the 1,500 hour mark. The equipment program has been successful in retaining players and is used primarily by the younger, newer players. Maple Grove Community Center (Maple Grove): The Maple Grove Ice Arena is a division of the Maple Grove Community Center. The arena has two rinks. The main arena, Premier Banks Rink, is an Olympic size sheet with six locker rooms. Four locker rooms are for public use and the other two house the boys and girls high school teams. The second rink, West Rink, is an NHL size rink and is used mainly for practice. This rink does not have locker rooms for any specific team but has four public locker rooms. The Premier Banks Rink has a seating capacity of 1,875 and the West Rink has a seating capacity of 450, which includes standing room. The rinks are run 11 months out of the year. Maintenance costs vary, but the arena averages $40,000 per year for all maintenance (of which 25% is for preventive maintenance expenses). The single greatest expenditure is the electric bill. The exact cost cannot be determined since there is no electric meter solely for the ice arena. The Maple Grove Arena is home to the Osseo Maple Grove Hockey Association (OMGHA), Maple Grove Senior High Hockey and many clinics and leagues. Revenues and sold hours for the years 2011 to 2015 are as follows: Year Revenue Hours 2011 $592, $628, $632, $658, $601,

8 Over the years, their pricing structure has changed. In 1997, when the arena first opened, the prime ice rate was $135 per hour. The current prime ice rate is $190 + tax. The non-prime time and off-peak rental rate is $ tax. Dakotah! Ice Center (Prior Lake): The Dakotah! Ice Center is home to the Prior Lake High School girls and boys high school hockey teams and the Prior Lake / Savage Youth Hockey Association. The arena has two NHL sized rinks with ten locker rooms. Eight locker rooms are for public use and two locker rooms are for the boys and girls high school hockey teams. There is a weight room at the facility that is used by the hockey teams at the appropriate ages. The Dakotah! Ice Center is privately run so very little data is released. The ice arena is run by four full time employees and maintenance and refrigeration costs make up the bulk of expenses. The single hardest thing to guard against are large capital expenditures, like replacing refrigeration units. Hours sold for the ice arena have been flat over the last three years. The total number of hours sold was not available but a proxy for hours and revenues is obtained by looking at the four main contributors, Prior Lake Savage Hockey Association, Prior Lake High School teams, Shakopee Hockey Association, and various women s teams. Revenues are estimated using the prime ice time rate of $220. The ice arena charges a rate of $150 for ice in the off season. Renter Hours Revenue Low End Estimate Revenue High End Estimate PLSHA , ,000 High School Hockey ,000 81,400 Shakopee Hockey Association ,600 33,000 Women s Teams ,900 11,000 Total , ,400 These four groups make up a significant share of the ice rental for the arena. The range of hours represents the variability of hours rented over approximately the last three years. As noted, according to sources at the rink, these hours have remained relatively flat. Other than the common renters, the rink also holds open skate for various groups and figure skaters and also has a learn to skate program. The Dakotah! Ice Arena is a part of a larger facility that houses an aquatics center, bowling alley, fitness room, deli, salon, and gymnasium. Bielenberg Sports Center (Woodbury): The Bielenberg Sports Center (BSC) is one of the largest multi-use sports centers in the state, with facilities that include a 90,000-square-foot indoor field house, two indoor ice arenas, an outdoor refrigerated recreational ice skating rink, 36 outdoor athletic fields and a splash pad. The Ice Arena and Field House is a recreational facility primarily used by the Woodbury High 8

9 School boys and girls hockey teams, East Ridge girls hockey team, Woodbury Area Hockey Club and the Woodbury Figure Skating Club. The arena offers open skate, open freestyle skating, and open hockey. The Sports Center houses two indoor sheets measuring 85-by-200 with eight locker rooms. The BSC also houses various meeting spaces, a community-based retail store for high school sportswear, skate services functions, and a snack bar. The rate schedule below explains the rental rates for the ice arena for the last two years. The prime rental rate is the highest rental rate out of the rinks surveyed. Non-prime rates look very similar except for the fall rates. The Bielenberg Sports Center is the only arena to charge a rate higher than the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine. Bielenberg Sports Center Ice Arena Data Year Average Percentage of Available Hours Rented 82% 81% 77% 81% 78% 82% Number of ice arena hours sold 3,868 3,642 3,611 3,669 3,867 3,731 Number of participants in ice arena programs 13,802 14,128 13,375 14,703 16,365 14,475 Year Revenue from hours sold 2012 $637, $629, $680, $716, $719,000 9

10 Skate Services Revenue $10,031 $9,500 $16,217 $5,500 $29,500 Comparison of Revenues from Ice Arena Rental ARENA ANNUAL REVENUES Andover Community Center $358,629.48* Bielenberg Sports Center (Woodbury) $716,375 Dakotah! Ice Center (Prior Lake) $477,400** Maple Grove Community Center $601, MAC $514,833 * season; revenues from ice rental ( hours). ** Comparable revenue data unavailable; this represents a high-end estimate of ice rental revenues given hours and rental rates. Ice Rental Rates Note: At the time this report was being prepared, the Minnesota Ice Arena Managers Association (MIAMA) was finishing up a survey of prime and non-prime ice rental rates at facilities throughout the state. If the MAC is a MIAMA member and participated in this survey, it can receive the MIAMA report free of charge. Otherwise, there is a $25 charge. Details on how to access this information are provided in a May 13 blog posting on the MIAMA www site: MIAMA Members, Please find attached the link below to go to miama.org and fill out this year s survey. We will have it available to fill out until May 20 th, Then Travis will compile the answers and have it available to retrieve at the website for FREE if you filled out the survey after June 1 st, If you don t fill out the survey, you WILL NOT be able to retrieve the survey from the website. If you want a copy of the survey you will need to contact Dean Mulso at dmulso@miama.org and request a copy of the survey and be invoiced $

11 Comparison of Ice Rental Rates at Different Facilities: Prime Ice Rental Rates Ice Rental Facilities 2012/ / / /2016 Anoka Ice Arena $ $ $ $ Centennial $ $ $ $ Champlin $ $ $ $ Coon Rapids $ $ $ $ Fogerty Arena (Blaine) N/A $ $ $ Schwan Super Rink $ $ $ $ Elk River N/A N/A $ $ Princeton N/A N/A $ $ SCSU N/A N/A N/A $ Plymouth N/A N/A N/A $ Maple Grove N/A N/A N/A $ Eagan N/A N/A N/A $ Brooklyn Park N/A N/A N/A $ St. Louis Park N/A N/A N/A $ Hopkins N/A N/A N/A $ Shakopee N/A N/A N/A $ Red Wing N/A N/A N/A $ Woodbury N/A N/A N/A $ Rosemount N/A N/A N/A $ New Hope N/A N/A N/A $ Duluth DECC N/A N/A N/A $ Duluth AMSOIL N/A N/A N/A $ Rochester Graham N/A N/A N/A $ Sauk Rapids N/A N/A N/A $ Sartell N/A N/A N/A $ Average/Median $178/$190 $180/$190 $186/$190 $193/$195 11

12 Non-Prime Ice Rental Rates Ice Rental Other Facilities 2012/2013 (NP) 2013/2014 (NP) 2014/2015 (NP) 2015/2016 (NP) Anoka Ice Arena $ $ $ Centennial $ $ $ Champlin $ $ $ Coon Rapids $ $ $ Fogerty Arena (Blaine) N/A 145 $ $ Schwan Super Rink $ $ $ Elk River N/A N/A $ $ Princeton N/A N/A $ $ SCSU N/A N/A N/A $ Plymouth N/A N/A N/A $ Maple Grove N/A N/A N/A $ Eagan N/A N/A N/A $ Brooklyn Park N/A N/A N/A $ Hopkins N/A N/A N/A $ Rosemount N/A N/A N/A $ Shakopee N/A N/A N/A $ Woodbury N/A N/A N/A $ New Hope N/A N/A N/A $ Sartell N/A N/A N/A $ Average/Median $142/$140 $152/$143 $153/145 $149/$145 The MAC website posts a rate of $175 for ice rental between May and September The website doesn t distinguish between prime and non-prime rental rates. In comparison to other facilities, this is on the low end for prime rental, but would be considered high when compared to non-prime rental rates. For most arenas, the difference between prime and non-prime ice time prices are significant. The only arena to charge the same rate for prime and non-prime ice time is the Schwan Super Rink. Some rinks appear reluctant to raise non-prime rates. During non-prime hours, skaters might be more price sensitive. Prime rate hours may have more consistent demand. Note that the Sauk Rapids ice scheduler was uncertain of what the prime rental rate was, but his recollection was that it was $165. He did not know what was charged for non-prime time. He indicated that ice scheduling is automated so he doesn t pay attention to the rates since the rates are embedded in the software program. He did indicate that he expected Sauk Rapids ice rental rates to increase in the fall. SCSU s rental rates were quoted by an office assistant, since the person in charge of scheduling ice was out of the office when the information was being collected. This office assistant expected ice rental rates at SCSU to increase later this year. Finally, Sartell s ice rental rates are not scheduled to change this year. They will remain at the figures reported in the two tables above. 12

13 Neither SCSU nor Sauk Rapids indicated any plans to change their ice operations or capacity in the near future (although SCSU has recently renovated the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, the phase 2 renovation of the Herb is on hold as campus leaders re-assess what comes next for the building). However, Sartell s Bernick Ice Arena does plan an expansion of its parking lot and the possible addition of a second sheet of ice is considered a future possibility. Hockey Participation Note: Data from the St. Cloud Youth Hockey Association were offered, but had not arrived at the time this report was being prepared. Sports participation numbers are constrained by population trends. In the St. Cloud area a growing share of the population comes from regions of the world that have typically participated in sports other than those offered at MAC facilities. In particular, soccer participation appears to be trending upward as the area s immigrant population has increased (as noted below, this does not necessarily translate into higher participation rates in organized youth soccer programs). Despite this, boys and girls hockey high school hockey participation in the state in was the second highest it has been over the last seven years. Note that boys and girls high school hockey participation is still well below the numbers of participants observed in the first half of the 2000s. Minnesota high school hockey participation appears to have peaked out in It is tempting to argue that the Great Recession (which began in December 2007) is the cause of the overall decline since that time, but this would require more rigorous analysis than is provided in this study. 13

14 ID SchYear State Sport Boys_Schools Girls_Schools Boys_Participation Girls_Participation /2003 MN Ice Hockey /2004 MN Ice Hockey /2005 MN Ice Hockey /2006 MN Ice Hockey /2007 MN Ice Hockey /2008 MN Ice Hockey /2009 MN Ice Hockey /2010 MN Ice Hockey /2011 MN Ice Hockey /2012 MN Ice Hockey /2013 MN Ice Hockey /2014 MN Ice Hockey /2015 MN Ice Hockey An encouraging sign is the increase in the number of youth that are participating in ice hockey. For example, the number of age 9-14 hockey participants has increased around the country. In addition, the number of ages 8 and under hockey participants nationwide has begun to increase after bottoming out in

15 These trends apply to both boys and girls. Minnesota is following a similar pattern: 15

16 Closer to home, District 5 youth hockey participation has risen in the past three years. 16

17 Seven of ten youth hockey associations in District 5 report an increase in participation over the past three years. 17

18 18

19 19

20 Girls youth hockey is considerably more important in Minnesota than it is elsewhere in the U.S.: Figure Skating Figure skating information was only available on a limited basis, so information from a U.S. Figure Skating 2015 fact sheet is used for background information and participation rates. 20

21 21

22 Baseball Baseball Participation The number of Minnesota schools participating in boys high school baseball has remained approximately constant for the last 13 years, but the number of participants has declined 11.9 percent from its peak in ID SchYear State Sport Boys_Schools Girls_Schools Boys_Participation Girls_Participation /2003 MN Baseball /2004 MN Baseball /2005 MN Baseball /2006 MN Baseball /2007 MN Baseball /2008 MN Baseball /2009 MN Baseball /2010 MN Baseball /2011 MN Baseball /2012 MN Baseball /2013 MN Baseball /2014 MN Baseball /2015 MN Baseball

23 Little League baseball data are not made publically available, but secondary sources indicate the following: Participation in Little League peaked in the 1990s when nearly three million youngsters were playing in its baseball and softball divisions. Today, the number has dropped to about 2.4 million and there has been a corresponding decrease in the number of leagues and teams. (see ) And Little League baseball reports U.S. participation in its baseball and softball leagues was down 6.8 percent. Note that this site reproduces key facts from a 2014 Wall Street Journal article (see highlighting the decline of youth baseball, football, basketball, and soccer. Some of this information is useful in thinking about future trends (data are from ). Participation Declines: Combined participation in the four most-popular team sports listed above (youth baseball, football, basketball, soccer) fell among boys and girls aged 6 through 17 by about 4 percent. The population of 6- to 17-year-olds in the U.S. fell just 0.6 percent during that same time period, according to the U.S. Census. As noted above, Little League baseball reports U.S. participation in its baseball and softball leagues was down 6.8 percent. The percentage of inactive 6- to 12-year-olds youths involved in no physical activities over a 12-month period rose to near 20 percent in 2012 from 16 percent in 2007, according to the SFIA/Physical Activity Council survey. Inactive 13- to 17-year-olds rose from 17 to 19 percent. Some good news: Participation in youth lacrosse was up 158 percent according to the SFIA/Physical Activity Council Survey. 23

24 Participation in hockey was up 64 percent among 6- to 18-year-olds. A 2015 Wall Street Journal article ( titled Why Children are Abandoning Baseball provides the following graphic: Local Baseball Information: Waite Park Babe Ruth Waite Park was the only area organization to furnish detailed information about youth baseball operations. In general, they report a decline in registrations over the past 5 years. 24

25 Waite Park Babe Ruth Registration Trends League % of Last Yr Ave Baseball Year Old % 184 Baseball 9-10 Year Old % 137 Baseball Year Old % 98 Baseball 13 Year Old % 36 Baseball Year Old % 42 Softball 8 Year Old & % 36 Under Softball 10 Year Old & % 46 Unde Softball 12 Year Old & % 44 Unde Softball 14 Year Old & Unde % 26 Softball 16 Year Old & Under % 10 Withdrew Totals % 657 Yearly Increase/Dec rease -7.50% -6.50% -2.30% -8.20% -5.70% Baseball Baseball Year Old Baseball 13 Year Old Baseball Year Old Baseball 9 10 Year Old Baseball Year Old Softball Softball 16 Year Old & Under Softball 14 Year Old & Under Softball 12 Year Old & Under Softball 10 Year Old & Under Softball 8 Year Old & Under 25

26 After experiencing a net loss in the prior year, Waite Park Babe Ruth did have a positive net income over the 2015 calendar year. This is largely attributed to an increase in tournament fees (including registrations), field rental, concessions, sponsorships, and fundraising. While there was a significant reduction in ballfield expenses in 2015, a large share of this reduced expenditure ($9,500 in 2014) appears to have come from the other portion of the P&L statement (not shown). Note there is an offsetting income item of $9,500 in noncash contributions in These entries, in effect, net out. There are no comparable items in the 2015 statement. Field maintenance and fertilizer/chemical costs did decline in 2015, which helped the bottom line. Waite Park Babe Ruth also posted registration revenues from the prior year of $13, This accounting entry appears to be a one-time action, and does not appear to be attributable to activities in All things considered, it appears that if costs were allocated consistently between the two years, and if prior year registrations had been credited in the year in which they were received, Waite Park Babe Ruth would have had net income that is closer to 0 in each of the years 2014 and Local Baseball (and other) Information: Some area officials who were asked to provide information did not respond in time to be included in the initial draft of this report. Of those that did respond, two indicated no plans to add additional baseball fields and one noted that it was under review. Municipality Baseball Fields Who has access Additional Facilities Planned? Notes Sartell Champion Field Sartell Muskies Currently Under Review High School Youth 4 School Fields School Teams 3 Park Fields General Population Waite Park 9 park fields general population No future baseball fields (jon) 4 school fields discovery school Sauk Rapids St. Joseph St. Joe's Campus St Joe Pumas Memorial Park General Population Future Parks do not include baseball fhttp:// St. Augusta Subsequent to preparing the initial draft of this report, additional information was collected from local officials about ownership of and public support for their community s baseball, golf, and ice facilities. This information is largely descriptive it mostly involves operations of ballfields and is reported below: 26

27 Waite Park Waite Park Babe Ruth, Inc. leases the 8 field area from the City of Waite Park. Babe Ruth currently pays the city $2000 per year to cover the cost of electricity in lighting the fields. The city owns these fields and currently leases to Babe Ruth for two year contracts. Babe Ruth is responsible for all general maintenance, mowing, and fertilization. The city is responsible for major repairs. This includes things like sprinkler systems and major lighting failures. The city pays for the water, and they are responsible for capital improvements. Babe Ruth runs, and is responsible for, concessions. They also get to keep 100% of the proceeds from concession sales. Babe Ruth currently has leagues that cater to boys and girls as young as 5-6, up to leagues that cater to boys and girls that are Softball is entirely participated in by females, and baseball is participated in by mostly males. There is no real crossover competition between these leagues and school leagues, due to timing of the two seasons. Sauk Rapids Sauk Rapids Softball/Baseball Association leases baseball fields from the City of Sauk Rapids as a land lease from the city. There is no charge to this lease. The SBA is responsible for all field maintenance, and they also contribute to capital improvements on the fields. This was reached as an agreement concerning concessions sales. The SBA uses league fees to pay for maintenance. They then use profits from concessions to pay for improvements to the fields. This has primarily manifested in increasing the number of lighted fields, as well as other improvements. The SBA used to pay 25% of concessions sales to the city, but this was changed to the current model of just assigning concessions profits to improvements. Concessions include beer sales, but the SBA is required to hold both DRAM insurance and obtain a liquor license from the city. Softball participation is declining a little bit (as per the SBA), however co-rec teams have begun to increase. They run on average 3-6 total baseball/softball tournaments per year, for varying age ranges. The Sauk Rapids Youth Hockey Association rents the Sports Arena East at a yearly rate from the Benton County Fairgrounds Arena Association. The SRYHA is responsible for all concessions activity, and they get to keep the proceeds from these activities. 27

28 St. Joe s There is one city baseball field and hockey rink. The baseball field is the home of the St. Joseph Joe s, and they are responsible for field maintenance. The hockey rink is a skating park that is converted in winter months into an outdoor hockey rink and recreational skating area. Both of these facilities can be rented out. St. Augusta The St. Augusta Gussies play at a field owned by St. Mary s church. The team is responsible for all field maintenance, and it is done on a volunteer basis. Sartell The city owns a 9-hole golf course (Pine Ridge). They currently lease this to a group of investors that are responsible for all course maintenance. Champion baseball field is owned by the city, but they have a land lease for zero dollars to the Sartell Baseball Association. The SBA manages and maintains this field, as well as four other little league fields in Sartell. The SBA runs and keeps all proceeds from concessions. The money from concessions and league fees go to maintaining the field. There is currently no plan to expand baseball facilities, however, based upon the result of the high school referendum, there are serious implications that expansion may happen shortly after that. Bernick s arena is on city land that is leased to the operators of the arena itself, and those operators in turn lease the ice to the Youth Hockey Group. The arena was built based on private donation and community outreach. They are currently in the process of planning to expand to a second sheet of ice for hockey. This plan is expected to be organized through private donations, rather than city funds. Baseball Facility Charges at the MAC The MAC s www site lists a range of rates for field rental depending on the description of field use. Other than stadiums used by Northwoods League teams, there are few other venues that are directly comparable to the MAC s baseball facilities. Information about Northwoods League teams can be found below. We have also tried to compile some information from other Minnesota cities that have baseball/softball fields for rent. 28

29 Game Type Description Rate Single Day Game 1-7 Inning Day $ Single Day Game 1-9 Inning Day $ Youth Day Game-(Monday-Thursday) 1-7 Inning Day $ Youth Day Games-(Monday-Thursday) 2-7 Inning Day $ Single Day Game Partial Game Rate $ Double Header Day Game 2-7 Inning Day $ Double Header Day Game 2-9 Inning Day $ Double Header Day Game 1-7,1-9 Inning Day $ Single Night Game 1-7 Inning Night $ Single Night Game 1-9 Inning Night $ Single Night Game Partial Game Rate $ Double Header Night Game 2-7 Inning Twilight $ Double Header Night Game 2-9 Inning Twilight $ Double Header Night Game 2-7 Inning Night $ Double Header Night Game 2-7 Inning Night $ One other stadium that charges fees that are directly comparable to the MAC facilities is Wade Stadium in Duluth. They charge different rates for spring than they do for summer/fall. The single day game rate for a 2-7 inning game in the spring is $205 in the spring but $130 in the summer/fall. By comparison, the MAC charges $185 for a 1-7 inning day game. A 9 inning night game in the spring costs $280 at Wade Stadium (it costs $180 in summer/fall). By comparison, a single 9 inning night game at the MAC costs $

30 WADE STADIUM RENTAL FEE SCHEDULE 2-7 INNINGS USAGE Double Header Spring Summer/Fall Day $380 $255 Night $430 $280 Single Day $205 $130 Night $230 $145 9 INNINGS Double Header Day $455 $280 Night $510 $305 Single Day $255 $155 Night $280 $180 USAGE FEE All Day Tournament $560 $480 Per Hour $75 $55 Wade Stadium Activity: Wade Stadium (2015) Practices 54, Games 156, Camps 2, Other Events 1 Wheeler Sports Complex Practices 38, Games 142, Tournaments 10 30

31 Ballfield Facility Charges in Select Other Minnesota Cities (not including Northwoods League): City Rosemount Softball Complex New Hope (includes baseball) Blaine National Sports Center (Outdoor Athletic Field Rental) City of St. Paul Baseball Faclities Fees Rental: $40 per field per day Maintenance: $35/hour or cost incurred by city No lights: $57 per game With lights: $68 per game All day: $165 per field per day $80/hr for one standard field $160/game for one standard field $425 tournament day rate Note: these rates do not include stadium and field U2 Toni Stone/Dunning Stadium (lighted), McMurray (no lights), Arlington/Arkwright (no lights) non-resident rates: $115 game/$200 doubleheader Northwoods League Stadium Information: Northwoods League stadiums are the venues that are most directly comparable to the MAC (although interviews with MAC stakeholders suggest the MAC is typically considered a higher quality facility than most of the other ballparks in the league). Publically available information about stadiums in the Northwoods League is typically elusive. Fortunately, two recent efforts have contributed to league information. One source comes from research compiled by the City of Rochester Parks and Recreation department. This information appears below and includes lease and other information for 12 Northwoods League teams (7 teams are omitted from the study) and can be found at (see NW League fees comparison ). A second (and more dated) source of Northwoods League stadium information comes from the LaCrosse Tribune (see This June 23, 2011 article looks at rental cost, utilities, capital improvements, park maintenance, and income information for 6 Northwoods league teams. Relevant information from this article also appears below. Finally, in the appendix (which is produced as a separate document), there is more detailed information about the stadiums in Mankato, Duluth, Wilmar, Eau Claire, and Wausau. The manner in which this information is provided to the public makes side-by-side comparison of this stadium information particularly challenging, so the information that is presented in this appendix is more comprehensive than is found elsewhere in this report. A second appendix contains more general information (including some ownwership information) about Northwoods league teams and their stadiums. 31

32 Northwoods League Stadium Information from City of Rochester Parks and Recreation (November 2015): 32

33 Northwoods League Stadium Information from LaCrosse Tribune (June 2011): La Crosse Loggers Stadium: Copeland Park Current lease: Rental cost: $8,307 per year/$229 per game (2011); sliding scale Utilities: Team responsible for 100 percent costs incurred at games; city determines prorated fee Park maintenance: Team is paying for cost, work at Loggers games and other stadium events Capital improvements: Team paid for construction of park at cost of $1.7 million ($375,000 from city trust fund). Team responsible for all improvements Income: Team takes in 100 percent of ticket sales, concessions, ballpark advertising Duluth Huskies Stadium: Wade Stadium Current lease: Rental cost: $320 per game (2011); sliding scale Utilities: City pays 100 percent Park maintenance: City and team share cost, work Capital improvements: Team pays city $2,000 per year Income: Team takes in 100 percent of ticket sales, concessions, ballpark advertising Green Bay Bullfrogs Stadium: Joannes Stadium Current lease: Rental cost: $6,250 per year/$178 per game (2011); sliding scale Utilities: City pays 100 percent Park maintenance: Team responsible for cost, work for all events Capital improvements: Team responsible for $50,000 of improvements over five-year lease Income: Team takes in 100 percent of ticket sales, concessions, ballpark advertising 33

34 Mankato MoonDogs Stadium: Franklin Rogers Park Current lease: Rental cost: $350 per game (2011); sliding scale Utilities: N/A Park maintenance: City responsible for all cost, work Capital improvements: N/A Income: Team takes in 100 percent of ticket sales, concessions, ballpark advertising Rochester Honkers Stadium: Mayo Field Current lease: Rental cost: $360 per game (pre-2011 lease) Utilities: City pays 100 percent Park maintenance: City responsible for all cost, work before Honkers games; team maintains field for games Capital improvements: N/A Income: Team takes in 100 percent of ticket sales, concessions, ballpark advertising Waterloo Bucks Stadium: Riverfront Stadium Current lease: Rental cost: $1,250 per month Utilities: Team pays 100 percent for all events Park maintenance: Team responsible for cost, work for all events Capital improvements: City has invested $3 million in renovations since 2005 Income: Team takes in 100 percent of ticket sales, concessions, ballpark advertising. Stadium is city-owned while team runs park, including scheduling and staffing of non-bucks events Source: Public records, compiled by La Crosse Parks and Recreation Director Steve Carlyon 34

35 Golf Golf Participation The National Golf Foundation maintains a proprietary database of golf participation numbers. Subscription rates for this information preclude accessing detailed and timely information with regard to key industry metrics, so this study relies on information that could be obtained from public sources. In some cases, this makes the information dated. In other cases, the information provided comes from secondary sources. Actual raw numbers measuring golf participation are not provided by industry sources. The National Golf Foundation (NGF) has released annual percentage change in rounds played data for Minnesota from A snapshot of the information is provided below. This information is also provided for census regions. For what it s worth, three of the years from reported a decrease in rounds played and two years saw an increase. National figures suggest this decline was similar for both public and private courses. Weather/temperature factors, of course, can play a major role in Minnesota golf statistics. No attempt is made to incorporate weather information into this report. Declining years (Minnesota): 2011, 2010, 2008 Increasing years (Minnesota): 2009,

36 Secondary sources seem to conclude that golf s popularity has stabilized in recent years, for example, a 2015 Golf Digest article asserts: For the third straight year, the NGF reports the number of golfers in 2014 was near 25 million. This number (24.7 million) matches the figure for 2013, but is down from 2010 (26 million) and 17 percent off the peak in 2005 of 30 million. It also matches the pre-tiger Woods number of 24.7 million in According to the report, that number has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 875,000 golfers. Under the NGF's methodology, the participation rate number is based on the estimated number of people ages 6 and over who played golf, on a golf course, at least once during the survey year. The survey is part of a larger survey of 40,000 Americans conducted by the Physical Activity Council regarding their participation in over 100 sports and fitness activities. According to the NGF, 8.5 percent of those surveyed indicated they played golf in 2014, but while participation rates have remained steady, the NGF cites data from PGA PerformanceTrak that says golfers played more often when conditions were playable. Rounds played per "playable day" were up 36

37 nearly 1 percent in 2014 vs The NGF says core golfers -- those who play eight rounds per year -- played two more rounds per year (32) than they did in 2005 when golf participation (in terms of numbers of golfers) was at its peak. While the number of core golfers, occasional golfers and junior golfers all stayed relatively the same, the survey also tracked the number of golfers who played golf for the first time ever in 2014 at approximately 2 million, consistent with According to the report, the largest percentage of beginning golfers was in the age group, accounting for more than half of all beginning golfers. The report says that roughly 4 million people began or returned to the game in But the NGF report also tracked interest in the game among these latent golfers, what it calls "individuals who did not play golf during the survey year but expressed interest in playing golf now." The number of latent golfers (32 million) has grown every year since 2011, when it was 27 million. Among other highlights of the NGF study: -- The highest percentage of core golfers came in the age group (18.8 percent of all golfers), followed by the (17.6) group. There were a larger percentage of golfers under the age of 40 than there were over the age of 50 (47 percent to 35 percent). -- The household income for the average golfer is $93,000, but nearly 40 percent have a household income less than $75,000. Still, the largest percentage of all golfers (27 percent) have a household income over $125, Participation rates in New England and the Midwest regions (Ohio to North Dakota) were the highest. The lowest were in the South Central (Kentucky to Texas). Golf s popularity as a high school sport has declined in Minnesota since There are now approximately 1,800 fewer participants (a 15.4 percent decline) in high school golf than there were 13 years ago. Forty-three fewer schools have a girls golf team although the number of schools with a boys golf team is little changed. Of course, the decline in golf as a high school sport need not adversely impact MAC operations since the long-term economic viability of the MAC depends on recreational demands. But, this decline would become a problem if it is associated with fewer people actually playing golf in Minnesota. 37

38 ID SchYear State Sport Boys_Schools Girls_Schools Boys_Participation Girls_Participation /2003 MN Golf /2004 MN Golf /2005 MN Golf /2006 MN Golf /2007 MN Golf /2008 MN Golf /2009 MN Golf /2010 MN Golf /2011 MN Golf /2012 MN Golf /2013 MN Golf /2014 MN Golf /2015 MN Golf Shmanske (2004) makes several interesting observations about the golf industry: -Municipals often set prices below the break-even point of profit preventing entry into the market. -Municipals benefits are hard to calculate due to subsidies and the benefit of lower prices to consumers. -Municipals often charge lower prices to residents. This should be reversed because outsiders will have higher transportation costs. -Private courses don't have to worry as much about the population of a geographic area to get demand. They just need a small group of wealthy people that sustain it regardless of the current health of the town. -Most courses depend on nearby residents, not tourists. -Municipal and Private courses with public access are substitutes. Purely private courses are more independent. - Purely Private courses don t prevent entry of Private courses with public access, but the reverse is completely the opposite. -The National Golf Foundation (1989) has calculated that the average one-way driving distance to the course most frequently played is 10.4 miles. -"10 mile radius rule" -Overlapping 10 mile radiuses or one large radius with every course in it? Explore Minnesota offers the following (see about golf in Minnesota: 38

39 Golf represents $2.4 billion to the state's economy, according to "The Minnesota Golf Economy," a Golf 2020/SRI study commissioned by the MGA in Minnesota consistently ranks at or near the top in golfer participation in the U.S. (for 2005, Minnesota was No. 1, with a 27% household participation rate), according to the National Golf Foundation (NGF). More than 733,000 Minnesotans play golf, according to a 2004 NGF report. Nearly 90 percent of Minnesota's golf courses are open to the public. The Minnesota Golf Association (MGA) counts 508 golf courses in the state: 55 private; 351 daily fee/semi-private, 83 municipal, and 19 resort. In 2006, Minnesota ranked 11th in the U.S. in number of golf facilities, according to NGF. Minnesota has 25 stand-alone driving ranges, according to NGF. MGA members posted 1.6 million rounds in 2011, or about 23.5 rounds per member. More than half (52.7 percent) of surveyed respondents to a 2001 Minnesota Office of Tourism study said that golf was highly important in choosing their destination. Golf visitors ranked Minnesota fourth highest from a list of 13 golf destinations, behind only Florida, Arizona and South Carolina. The Veteran s Public Golf Course charges the following rates: Weekday+Tax $10.71+$.79=$11.50 Weekday+Tax, Additional 9 Holes $6.98+$.52=$7.50 Weekday+Tax, Senior Rate $8.61+$.64=$9.25 Weekend+Tax, Holiday $11.87+$.88=$12.75 Weekend+Tax, Additional 9 Holes $9.08+$.67=$9.75 Rates and budget numbers for the Ponds at Battle Creek are below. This course appears similar to the Veterans course and it requires outside funding to pay for some of the expenses. The Ponds at Battle Creek Rates Regular 9 holes Weekday: $21 Weekend: $22 Sundown Special: Begins 1½ hours before sunset. Play unlimited number of holes until dark! Everyday: $11 39

40 Cart rental 9 holes: $10.50 Season pass: Season passes valid only at The Ponds at Battle Creek are available for $725. The Ponds at Battle Creek (from the Biennial Budget Book of Ramsey County) Multipurpose Facilities The MAC might someday consider expanding the range of sports it might offer in its athletic facilities. The extent to which baseball stadiums are convertible to other uses is outside the scope of this study, but two sports that might be attracted to the quality facilities at the MAC are soccer and lacrosse. While organized soccer participation may be on the decline around the country, there is little doubt that its popularity has increased in the St. Cloud area. Lacrosse is growing rapidly around the country. This sport has potential to experience considerable growth in Central Minnesota. Lacrosse The LAX power website (see notes that: 40

41 Lacrosse continues to expand when most sports are not. And lacrosse is among the fastest growing sports that are in the top 15 in popularity. Data on school sponsorship and student participation are compiled annually by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). The tables below, which are also available as PDF files to facilitate printing (sponsorship and participation), show in most cases the top 16 boys' and girls' HS sports in terms of schools and participation for with comparable data for earlier years. Also see the graphs beneath the tables. Boys' lacrosse moved up to 12th in sponsorship (number of schools) and remained at 11th in participants (number of athletes). Girls' lacrosse again finished 13th in sponsorship and 10th in participation. Note: The NFHS's universe is limited, so there are almost 1,200 boys' and over 650 girls' lacrosse teams and their participants are not included in the totals. In many states, the NFHS umbrella does not include all schools. High schools in states where lacrosse is not officially sanctioned are simply not reflected in the NFHS figures. B O Y S - S P O N S O R S H I P Schools % Change Sport Basketball 17,535 17,762 17,861 17,869 17,969 18,150 18, % 5.6% Track & Field (outdoor) 15,497 15,709 15,835 15,936 16,011 15,954 16, % 8.0% Baseball 15,290 15,458 15,720 15,699 15,786 15,863 15, % 7.1% Football (11-player) 13,727 13,922 13,987 14,105 14,226 14,279 14, % 5.8% Cross Country 13,110 13,354 13,485 13,647 13,942 14,097 14, % 15.6% Golf 13,267 13,541 13,647 13,543 13,693 13,681 13, % 6.3% Soccer 10,580 11,066 11,122 11,139 11,375 11,503 11, % 17.8% Wrestling 9,744 9,445 10,090 10,254 10,363 10,407 10, % 10.7% Tennis 9,706 9,438 9,576 9,499 9,916 9,839 9, % 0.8% Swimming & Diving 6,224 6,358 6,428 6,558 6,820 6,899 7, % 29.7% Track & Field (indoor) 2,394 2,725 3,095 3,172 2,546 2,638 2, % 26.4% Bowling 1,954 2,089 2,261 2,427 2,451 2,454 2, % 210.7% Lacrosse 1,395 1,588 1,815 1,984 2,068 2,192 2, % 149.3% Volleyball 1,726 2,006 2,006 2,192 2,089 2,078 2, % 27.0% Team Tennis 1,138 1,543 1,342 1,832 1,419 1,414 1, % 143.1% Ice Hockey 1,503 1,576 1,564 1,601 1,611 1,612 1, % 21.2% 41

42 Sport B O Y S - P A R T I C I P A T I O N (thousands) Participants (Thousands) % Change Football (11-player) % 8.3% Track & Field (outdoor) % 17.0% Basketball % -0.8% Baseball % 5.3% Soccer % 23.7% Wrestling % 11.1% Cross Country % 31.9% Tennis % 11.2% Golf % -5.6% Swimming & Diving % 50.7% Lacrosse % 140.6% Track & Field (indoor) % 36.8% Volleyball % 24.4% Team Tennis % 201.7% Ice Hockey % 8.0% Bowling % 171.3%

43 Sport G I R L S - S P O N S O R S H I P Schools % Change Basketball 17,275 17,458 17,564 17,582 17,711 17,767 17, % 6.0% Track & Field (outdoor) 15,417 15,578 15,772 15,864 15,923 16,030 16, % 9.2% Volleyball 14,578 14,881 15,009 15,069 15,382 15,479 15, % 14.5% Softball (fast pitch) 14,710 14,968 14,846 15,172 15,298 15,338 14, % 16.1% Cross Country 12,989 13,146 13,294 13,457 13,809 13,839 13, % 19.0% Soccer 9,970 10,503 10,543 10,548 10,901 11,047 11, % 24.5% Tennis 9,816 9,678 9,694 9,732 10,166 10,181 10, % 4.7% Golf 8,816 9,046 9,447 9,344 9,651 9,609 9, % 27.5% Swimming & Diving 6,559 6,708 6,766 6,902 7,171 7,164 7, % 26.0% Competitive Spirit 3,914 3,743 4,510 4,748 4,879 4,266 4, % 46.7% Track & Field (indoor) 2,308 2,367 2,659 2,677 2,511 2,598 2, % 26.7% Bowling 1,871 2,012 2,321 2,345 2,435 2,436 2, % 183.7% Lacrosse 1,349 1,480 1,624 1,780 1,885 1,999 2, % 170.5% Team Tennis 1,178 1,588 1,383 1,881 1,442 1,457 1, % 108.6% Field Hockey 1,668 1,493 1,760 1,818 1,827 1,808 1, % 10.8% Gymnastics 1,484 1,516 1,454 1,495 1,518 1,506 1, % -2.2%

44 Sport G I R L S - P A R T I C I P A T I O N (thousands) Participants (Thousands) % Change Track & Field (outdoor) % 12.8% Basketball % -3.7% Volleyball % 7.2% Soccer % 27.0% Softball (fast pitch) % 4.8% Cross Country % 33.9% Tennis % 10.1% Swimming & Diving % 14.9% Competitive Spirit % 22.3% Lacrosse % 131.4% Golf % 19.4% Field Hockey % -0.5% Track & Field (indoor) % 33.4% Team Tennis % 140.4% Bowling % 133.4% Gymnastics % -8.5%

45 Soccer Youth soccer is very popular around the U.S. (see ): 45

46 US Youth Soccer Annual Registration of Players , , ,210, ,615, ,388, ,020, ,050, ,123, ,148, ,094, ,036, ,025, ,020, ,804, ,055,148 An Example of a Multipurpose facility in Minnesota--Woodbury The Woodbury facility referenced in the hockey section of this study is a multipurpose athletic facility. It is unclear the extent to which the MAC could perform operations similar to those in Woodbury (and note that the Aquatic Center is being built in a different location), but a sample of the internal numbers from the Woodbury facility is provided below: From 2016-Adopted-City-Budget of Woodbury MN) Enterprise Efficiency: Average 2) Operating profit as a percentage of revenue 32% 34% 36% 25% 20% 29% Ice Arena Operations: 3) Percentage of available ice arena hours rented or 82% 81% 77% 81% 78% 82% programmed ("vacancy rate") 4) Number of ice arena hours sold 3,868 3,642 3,611 3,669 3,867 3,731 5) Number of participants in ice arena programs 13,802 14,128 13,375 14,703 16,365 14,475 Field House Operations: 6) Percentage of available field house hours rented or 53% 47% 57% 93% 68% 64% programmed ("vacancy rate") 7) Number of field house hours sold 1,564 1,389 1, ,160 8) Number of participants in field house programs 8,315 9,519 7,974 3,478 7,894 7,436 46

47 47

48 48

49 ICE RINK RENTALS Prime Hours: January 1 - M arch 19 & September 16 - December 31 $ $ High School Hours: January 1 - M arch 19 $ $ October 24 - December 31 $ $ Non-Prime: After 10 pm / Before 4 pm weekdays for 1 1/2 hrs $ $ Summer Hours: June 1 - August 31 $ $ Over 30 hrs $ $ Over 100 hrs $ $ Over 200 hrs $ $ Spring/Fall Hours: M arch 20 - M ay 31 & September 1-15 $ $ Over 30 hrs $ $ Outdoor Rink With Ice $75.00 $75.00 Without Ice $55.00 $55.00 Summer Camp Use with ice or field house rental $25.00 $25.00 FIELD HOUS E RENTALS Peak Season October 24 - April 30 Prime Hours: 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm weekdays & 6:00 am - 9:00 pm weekends Full Field Prime $ $ Half Field Prime $ $ Non-Prime Hours: Starting at 9:30 pm weekdays & 9:00 pm weekends & 49

50 before 5:30 pm weekdays for 1 1/2 hrs Full Field Non-Prime $ $ Half Field Non-Prime $ $ Off Peak May 1 - October 23 Full Field any time $ $ Batting Cage with field rental $25.00 $25.00 Events, Shows & Sales (daily rates) January 1 - April 30 & October 24 - December 31 Weekdays $2, $2, Weekends $4, $4, May 1 - October 23 Weekdays $ $ Weekends $1, $1, Half Field Weekdays $ $ Half Field Weekends $1, $1, Conclusion After some weakness during the late 1990s, ice hockey participation has improved in Central Minnesota (and around the state and nation). This bodes well for MAC usage, although the possible addition of a second sheet of ice at Bernick s Arena in Sartell will add to the supply of local ice time and put downward pressure on rental rates. Baseball participation rates are declining around the country. This is also impacting Minnesota high school baseball participation rates. One source of local baseball information has also reported declining participation in recent years. Trends in the golf industry have never matched the predictions of rising participation that was estimated to arise from U.S. population aging. As the build-up of golf courses proceeded in the 1990s and early 2000s, the reality of declining golf participation collided with an increased supply of course availability to put pressure on golf course operations. The industry remains in flux to this day as relatively few golf courses are being built and some courses are being transformed into other land use. Fan popularity for major league baseball has not been affected by a decline in baseball participation. As noted in a 2015 Wall Street Journal article (see sources), major league baseball is seeing rising fan popularity. It is unclear the extent to which this translates to smaller ball parks (such as those at the MAC). Since moving to a 16-team league in 2010, the Northwoods Baseball League has experienced attendance that topped 1,000,000 for the first time in In that same year, St. Cloud Rox attendance averaged 1,635 well short of its record average of 2,021 in By comparison, 5 Northwoods League teams experienced their all-time high average attendance in 2014 (Kalamazoo, Kenosha, Lakeshore, Battle Creek, and Willmar). 50

51 To the extent that the area supply of golf courses is not likely to increase in the foreseeable future (it is more likely to contract) and recognizing the special niche market in which the MAC operates (catering to older and/or less experienced recreational golfers), it seems likely that the outlook for the Veteran s Golf Course is reasonably stable in the future. While 9-hole golf courses in both Waite Park and Sartell also appeal to a similar market segment, the growing share of seniors and new golfers should ensure the near-term future of this facility. Notwithstanding well publicized current challenges at St. Cloud Apollo and St. Cloud Tech (which will presumably subside after a couple of years), hockey s future appears secure due to rising area youth participation rates. MAC hockey operations appear to be well positioned to take advantage of these favorable trends for both men s and women s ice hockey. The MAC has a particular advantage in attracting visitors to the St. Cloud area. Hockey and baseball games and tournaments are important sources of visitor expenditures. While in the St. Cloud area, these visitors stay in hotels, eat at restaurants, go to parks, shop, etc. This gives the MAC a considerable economic impact in the St. Cloud area. This helps justify the annual budgetary support from the area hotel/motel tax that the MAC receives. With an estimated 350,000 people going through the facilities annually, the MAC is a highly valuable community asset that supports a range of on-site services that relatively few communities are able to offer in one location. 51

52 Sources Much of the information in this report was provided by rink managers, facilities managers, administrators, etc. and other stakeholders at the relevant sites. In addition to the information they provided, the following other sources were accessed: Minnesota Hockey & Under Membership Report : ( Number of golfers steady, more beginners coming from millennials Golf Digest, 2015 ( NW League fees comparison at Shmanske, Stephen Market Preemption and Entry Deterrence: Evidence from the Golf Course Industry. International Journal of Economics and Business, February St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex web site: ( Teams ( U.S. Figure Skating 2015 Fact Sheet: ( Why Are Children Abandoning Baseball? Wall Street Journal, 2015 ( Youth Participation Weakens in Basketball, Football, Baseball, Soccer Wall Street Journal, 2014 ( 52

53 Appendix 1 A Snapshot of Financial Statements from 5 Northwoods League Cities Mankato: Account Detail Revenues Actual 2014 Proposed % Change Forecast Actual thru 6/14 Budget Budget 14 to 15 Budget Charges for Services SERV CHG-CONCESSIONS/TOURTLOTT SERV CHG-DEER HUNTING SERV CHG-PARK SHELTERS 30,875 18,230 18,000 30, ,000 Charges for Services 31,569 18,230 18,600 30, ,600 Intergovernmental STATE AID-TREE PLANTING 22, Intergovernmental 22, Miscellaneous MISCELLANEOUS RENTS 5,060 1, , ,000 MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE 2,356 3,699 3,000 3, ,000 RENT - FRANKLIN ROGERS PARK 14, ,000 17, ,000 Miscellaneous 21,846 5,249 20,500 25, ,000 Other Financing Service TRANSFER IN 30,000 30,000 30,000 30, ,000 Other Financing Services 30,000 30,000 30,000 30, ,000 Total Revenues 105,915 53,479 69,100 85, ,600 Franklin Rogers $900,000 to GO Bond/ None None CONSTRUCTION FUND Franklin Rogers Field/Restroom Upgrade $300, Approved Budget Note: It appears the City of Mankato received $14,430 in 2013 for rental of Franklin Rogers Park. It budgeted for receiving $17,000 for each of the years 2014, 2015, and It also appears to have budgeted for a $300,000 expenditure for a field and restroom upgrade in 2016.

54 Duluth: Note: In May 2014, Wade Stadium received legislative support to renovate the facility. The total amount of bonding was $2.3 million which was matched by the City of Duluth. Additional details of the renovation appear below. A $4.6m renovation of the existing Wade Stadium, baselines and outfield walls (phase one) was funded with $2.3m in bonding from the State of Minnesota and an equal match from the City of Duluth. The project provided a new drainage system, new lights, new scoreboard, new synthetic turf, and new fencing (including padding). Additional improvements include a concrete patio baseline viewing area; brick replacement, stabilization, and tuck-pointing of the stadium walls; a new concession area; and upgraded accessibility for patrons. The increased durability and drainage capabilities of the new artificial turf allowed the season to be extended two months and use of the field quadrupled. Additional phases of the renovation will continue as funding becomes available. Wade Stadium Area Expanded and improved parking and trails at Wade improve the game day experience for fans, players, and neighbors. Stormwater improvements help the ecological functioning of the park and improve the overall aesthetic. Improvements to the surrounding fields and their support facilities (concessions, warm up areas, staging areas) will advance the facility as a regional tournament destination. Preferred Master Plan Wheeler Athletic Complex Maintain pinwheel upgrade dugouts, concession building, scoreboard, & surrounding paving Maintain baseball at Field #5, expand infield and outfield fencing to Babe Ruth dimension Maintain, expand skate park Maintain, tennis (2 courts) & stripe for pickle ball Add full court basketball (2 courts), reuse portion of former tennis courts Upgrade bocce courts Add horseshoe pits Relocate maintenance facility to east side of park (at former residential

55 lot) Improve, expand playground Add additional trails and sidewalks for enhanced internal park circulation Improve parking lot new paving, lighting and stormwater treatment areas Improve Wheeler Fieldhouse upgraded restrooms, new roof, and heat for office areas Wade Stadium Area Expand main parking area at Wade, provide stormwater treatment at entry, and improve lighting (requires acquisition of vacant property) Pave surrounding parking lots, add lighting and provide stormwater treatment (both south and west of Wade Stadium and small lots along Grand Avenue) Create enhanced circulation with new access to west parking lot and behind existing residential (requires acquisition of a single residential property) Improve all surrounding fields - realign west fast pitch field to accommodate trail between the Stadium & softball field Provide additional trail connections around Wade Stadium, linking fields and parking lots Create a plaza area near softball fields with shade and picnic tables Provide an open pick-up/warm up area at Wade beyond the outfields Supply water to little league concessions/ storage building

56 Park Element Capital Cost Restrooms $100,000 ($250-$300 Sq. Ft.) Typical Annual O&M Cost + Replacement Contribution Estimat ed Life (Years) Progra m Capac ity $8,000/Bldg./Yr. 40 N/A Park Building/ Shelters Activity Buildings $200,000 ($200 Sq. Ft.) $20,000/Bldg./Yr. 40 N/A Open Air Shelters $35,000 ($65 Per Sq. Ft) $1,500/Bldg./Yr. 25 N/A Trails (10 Ft. Wide Asphalt) $160,000 Per Mile $11,000 Per Mile 30 N/A Trails & Surfaces Parking Lots (Asphalt) $2,500-$3,000 Per Stall $20-$25 Per Stall 40 N/A Parking Lots (Gravel) $500-$750 Per Stall $5-$7 Per Stall 3-5 N/A Tennis Courts + Lighting $150,000 (12,500 Sq. Ft Double Court) $15,000/Court 25 High Tennis Courts $100,000 (12,500 Sq. Ft Double Court) Basketball Courts (Concrete) $30,000 Per Court (4,680 Sq. Ft.) Basketball Courts (Asphalt) $25,000 Per Court (4,680 Sq. Ft.) $10,000/Court 25 Mid $3,000/Court 50 Mid $2,500/Court 25 Mid Volleyball $4,000 Per Court $400/Court 20 Mid Park Amenities Playgrounds $250,000-$350,000 $25,000-$30,000/Site/Yr N/A Poured Concrete Skate Parks $30-40 Per Sq. Foot $40,000/Site/Yr. 25+ N/A

57 A Level Softball Field (irrigation + lighting) $125,000-$185,000 $12,500-$18,500/Field (Includes: lining, mowing, trimming, fertilizing, weed control, aerating, irrigation & overseeding) 7-10 High B Level Softball Field $70,000-$100,000 $7,000-$10,000/Field (Includes: lining, mowing, trimming, fertilizing, weed control, aerating, & overseeding) 7-10 Mid A Level Baseball Field (irrigation + lighting) $175,000 - $250,000 $12,500-$18,500/Field (Includes: lining, mowing, trimming, fertilizing, weed control, aerating, irrigation & overseeding) 7-10 High B Level Baseball Field $35,000--$50,000 $3,500-$,500-$18,500/Field (Includes: lining, mowing, trimming, fertilizing, weed control, aerating, irrigation & overseeding) Mid A Level Grass Mid Sized Soccer Field (irrigation + lighting) $50,000-$75,000 $5,000-$7,500/Field (Includes: lining, mowing, trimming, fertilizing, weed control, aerating, irrigation & overseeding) 15 High Athletic Fields A Level Grass small Soccer Field (irrigation + lighting) $30,000-$50,000 $3,000-$5,000/Field (Includes: lining, mowing, trimming, fertilizing, weed control, aerating, irrigation & overseeding) 15 High

58 h20 Circulation & Infr. Buildings Recreation Sub. Loc. Description Cost Softball Wheeler Upgrades Around Pinwheel Shelter $50,000 Softball Wheeler New Dugouts $30,000 Softball Wheeler Taller Fencing $20,000 Bocce Wheeler Maintain/ Upgrade Bocce Courts $8,000 Baseball Wheeler Expand Field 5 to accommodate HSBB and BRBB $200,000 Tennis Wheeler Resurface Courts (2) $30,000 Basketball Wheeler New Basketball Courts (2) $40,000 Skate Wheeler Skate park Expansion (Phase 2 & Plaza Skate) $250,000 Horseshoes Wheeler Build Horseshoes (6) $5,000 Volleyball Wheeler Sand Volleyball Courts (2) $10,000 Picnic Wheeler New Picnic Shelter $35,000 Playground Wheeler Playground Expansion $250,000 Baseball Wade Upgrade Little League Fields $30,000 Softball Wheeler Upgrade Pinwheel Shelter Building $50,000 Softball Wheeler New Roof on Pinwheel Shelter Building $10,000 Baseball Wade Concessions and Storage for LLBB $5,000 Baseball Wade Water to Concessions for LLBB $25,000 Parking Wade Right Field Parking Lot & Alley Enhancement - Gravel $50,000 Parking Wade Right Field Parking Lot Lighting $18,000 Parking Wade Michigan Street Parking Lot - Gravel $49,000 Parking Wade Michigan Street Parking Lot Lighting $30,000 Trails Wade Trail Connection from Michigan St. Lot to LLBB Fields $36,000 Wayfinding Both Signage and Wayfinding Improvements $25,000 Stormwater Wade Michigan Street Raingarden $50,000 Stormwater Wade Right Field Parking Lot Raingarden $50,000 Initial Phase Total: $1,356,000

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60 Willmar: Note: A few capital improvements have been made at Taunton Stadium in Willmar. State aid was received for some of this. City of Willmar 2015 Proposed Capital Improvement Program City of Willmar 2016 Proposed Capital Improvement Program Ticket Prices (2010): Diamond View Seats, $10; Box Seats, $8.50; Reserved, $6; Senior Reserved, $5; kids 4 and under, free (

61 Eau Claire: Note: Eau Claire s general fund includes a category for operating concessions at Carson Park. In their capital plan, they note expenses for Carson Park signage.

62 City of Eau Claire 2016 Adopted Capital Improvement Plan

63 Wausau: Note: Several accomplishments are noted for Athletic Park in Wausau in 2014, including beginning replacement of grandstand seating and neighborhood development. This work was to conclude in In 2016, $300,000 has been budgeted by the City of Wausau for Athletic Park improvements.

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