By Dewey Terrill
Sometimes dreams can come true. A contingent of local residents working on a proposed sports complex project certainly hope so, as they unveiled their plans for Geary County Commissioners at the County Office Building on Monday.
The complex would be located at Milford State Park and would be operated by an outside company with a 25-year lease from Kansas Wildlife and Parks. Architect Brett Deam has developed concepts for the facility. "Within this project would be multipurpose fields, baseball, softball, basketball, tennis, you name it. The project would also include an amphitheater and there would be an arena seating 3,000 to 5,000 people that could be used for everything from basketball, wrestling and volleyball to concerts. The arena would allow the sports complex to be used year around.
Committee members that spoke to the county commission included Bret Deam, Adam Wilkey and Brad Roether, with other members of their group in attendance. Approximately 45 acres on the south side of Milford State Park is the target location for the complex. Wilkey said that they have a concept, a location and feasibility for the project. They will have to look at dollars and cents. "We're pleased with what we heard from the county commission today so we're excited."
Commissioners did not take any final action but were positive in their reaction to the proposal which could possibly include a facility with strictly a rough guess at this point that could go into the $25-$30 million range. County Chair Trish Giordano said she wants to see the numbers including a business plan before she commits to the project. Commissioners Keith Ascher and Alex Tyson made strong positive comments about the concepts outlined.
Under the plan that was outlined a company that manages sports facilities, Sports Facilities Advisory, could possibly be hired to run this facility's day to day operation. Wilkey said for a next step he will reach out to contacts with the company to get them engaged and pull information from their files and learn their ideas. Sports Facilities Advisory worked with the CVB several years ago on a feasibility study for a sports complex but nothing ever went beyond that point. They currently manage 28 facilities that they have built in the last 15 years.
Under the new proposal the State Park could receive an annual 2.8 % revenue payment. "We just know that's what the revenue of the State Park brings in general. Their revenue is 2.8% of any kind of gross proceeds, " said Wilkey, who noted that the County gave the planners the green light to keep pursuing the project. "We're not committing any money at this point, we're not signing any leases, we're just moving forward with the project in a positive way." One area where local funding could be utilized is the one-percent transient guest revenues that have been set aside for a sports complex. That money comes from users of hotel and motel lodging facilities. There are not any plans to use property tax revenue.
Wilkey indicated State Park officials at Milford Lake are excited. But formal approval would have to be obtained. Before that could occur the project would need approval from the Geary County Commission to show their support.
There was also the future possibility of future business development near the sports complex, and planners believe the facility could bring visitors and additional money into the county. Grants and donations could also be sought to help build the facility.
Can dreams like this come true? Wilkey believes that they can. "I really do. It's a passion, I think it's a fit. There's too many positive things that can come from it."