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HomeMy WebLinkAbout _ 9.6(a)--Consider Long-Term Options for Redding Sports Park OperationsC IT Y OF REMDINO�" AN CITY OF REDDING REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: March 4, 2025 FROM: Travis Menne, Director of ITEM NO. 9.6(a) Community Services ***APPROVED BY*** a t Na'[(i.aY„r:..�. yJy.,w.S.}w1fiw��-" •---� y } FS1d aS A arrisM c'' r� a' flo a ttp,'".5 "�i4 r 4 y �'t ^{(� r'v'� # (i. G } �ry +� ('� 4eve > iiwk' iv l� I jfyV tmenne ,cityofredding.org btippin@cityofredding.org SUBJECT: 9.6(a)--Consider long-term options for Redding Sports Park operations. Recommendation Authorize and approve the following: (1) Accept report regarding a City of Redding -staffed model for operations and maintenance of the Redding Sports Park (Park); (2) Direct staff to continue operations of the Park until the end of Fiscal Year 2026-27; and (3) Adopt Resolution approving and adopting the 68th Amendment to City Budget Resolution No. 2023-060 appropriating $118,170 for Fiscal Year 2024-25 for the addition of $15,000 in Operating, Materials and Supplies and the following new positions to manage daily operations at the Park: one new Recreation Supervisor; eight Recreation Crew Supervisors; ten Recreation Leaders; one Recreation Coordinator; and one Gardener position. Fiscal Impact The 21 new Redding Sports Park (Park) positions equate to 11.75 full time equivalents (FTE). The salary and benefit cost for the new positions and $15,000 for operations and maintenance for the remainder of Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-2025 is estimated to be $118,170. These positions will be partially funded with existing appropriation amounts within the Community Services' Redding Sports Park Division's personnel account budgets ($20,000 full time, $40,000 part time). The requested annual Park operating budget was developed using current known expenses and planned expansions of staffing, maintenance, and programming. The revenue projections are conservative estimates based on current business trends and revenue data observed over the four months staff has operated the Park. The overall budget request for FY 2025-26 is $965,000 and $1,010,250 for FY 2026-27. The Park will require an operational subsidy in both years based on the conservative revenue projection. Year two projections improve with additional activities planned, such as competitive volleyball, in-house tournaments, special events, and leagues. However, these projections are based solely on park operations activity without a concessionaire. Report to Redding City Council February 27, 2025 Re: 9.6(a) - -Consider Long -Term Options for Redding Sports Park Operations Page 2 The budget accounts for a baseline in-house concessions model similar to the Redding Aquatic Center. Incorporating restaurant operations will improve revenues, but the timing and amounts are unknown and will depend on future contract negotiations, should the City of Redding (City) bring in a concessionaire. The budget below shows the request for FY's 2025-26 and 2026-27. Item FY 2025/26 Budget FY 2026/27 Bud et Recreation RSP Staff $591,100 $620,650 Maintenance Staff $126,500 $132,600 Administrative Staff $15,000 $15,750 O&M Materials $60,000 $62,500 Contracts (HVAC, Security, Pest, Fire) $30,000 $31,500 Utilities (Gas, Water, Power, Sewer, Trash) $115,000 $118,500 Supplies concessions, janitorial, office $25,000 $26,250 Bank Service Fees $2,400 $2,500 Total Expenses $965,000 $1,010,250 Total Revenue -) 1 $552,000 $727,200 Operational Subsidy $413,000 $283,050 Alternative Action The City Council (Council) could choose not to move forward with this long-term option at this time or provide an alternate direction to staff. If additional funding for Park operations is not approved, keeping the facility open into April 2025 will be problematic as Redding Aquatic Center staff temporarily assigned to the Redding Sports Parks will return to other recreational duties. Background/Analysis After the Community Services Advisory Commission unanimously recommended that the Council direct staff to develop a model for City staff to operate the Park, staff presented the following options to Council at their February 4, 2025 meeting: 1. Develop and issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for third -party operations of the Park; 2. Develop a model for a City -run facility; or 3. Explore shuttering or selling the facility. At that time, the Council determined that staff would develop a City -operated facility model and return for consideration of the associated budget implications. Additionally, Council directed staff to issue a press release to the community soliciting options and ideas for alternative approaches and partnerships. To date, that effort has not yielded any actionable input for operations but presented options for concessions. Since October 1, 2024, the current model has been in place and is generally well -received by existing user groups. Staff and community partners have found success with tournaments on the fields and in the field house, generating near -normal levels of activity and satisfying most user groups. In the proposed model, the City would hire a full-time Recreation Supervisor to run the Report to Redding City Council February 27, 2025 Re: 9.6(a) - -Consider Long -Term Options for Redding Sports Park Operations Page 3 facility as the on -site manager. The Supervisor will be charged with mapping the available business avenues for the facility with the goal to achieve operational sustainability. These efforts will come in the form of new and expanded recreational offerings, events, grants, reallocation of existing Recreation Division programs, utility cost -savings, sponsorships, and more. Additional, new staff includes a Gardener in the Parks Division for on -site maintenance. Other staff positions are existing authorized positions in the Recreation Division, but their costs specific to the Park are included in the overall annual cost. Hiring a full-time facility manager will allow staff to expand capacity and work toward obtaining supplemental funding to reduce any future capital. improvement costs. The significant outstanding issue is the degraded condition of the facility and sourcing the funds required for improvements. Based on other facility examples and recent public engagement, it is unlikely that an outside source or third -party operator will wholly fund the repairs, and the City may need to fill gaps creatively through alternate sources. Funding sources may include but are not limited to additional sponsorships, donations, grants, or the use of the City's General Fund. Overall, if funding sources to support a long-term, Park business plan are not identified by the end of FY 2026-27, the Park may need to close. Environmental Review This is not a project defined under the California Environmental Quality Act, and no further action is required. Council Priority/City Manager Goals • Government of the 21st Century — `Be relevant and proactive to the opportunities and challenges of today's residents and workforce. Anticipate the future to make better decisions today." Attachments ^Resolution PreviousStaff Report - August 20, 2024, item 9.6(a) - Short Term Operations Previous Staff Report - July 29, 2024, item 3.1 - Termination (C-0458) 1► 90 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF REDDING APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE 681h AMENDMENT TO CITY BUDGET RESOLUTION NO. 2023-060 APPROPRIATING $118,170 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 FOR THE ADDITION OF $15,000 IN OPERATING MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES AND THE FOLLOWING NEW POSITIONS WITHIN THE REDDING SPORTS PARK: ONE NEW RECREATION SUPERVISOR, EIGHT RECREATION CREW SUPERVISORS, TEN RECREATION LEADERS, ONE RECREATION COORDINATOR, AND ONE GARDENER POSITION, TO MANAGE DAILY OPERATIONS AT THE PARK BE IT RESOL VED B Y THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDDING THAT Budget Resolution No. 2023-060 be and is hereby amended as follows: FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 LU61LO DIVISION DESCRIPTION 1099 Redding Sports Park INCREASE DECREASE $118,170 THAT account titles and numbers requiring adjustments by this Resolution are as follows: USE SOURCE OF FUNDS OF FUNDS Increase(Decrease) Beginning Fund Balance 101-1726-2910000-00000 $ 118,170 Increase(Decrease) Expenditures 101-1726-4900110-00000 Full Time Salaries & Wages (legacy) 24,000 101-1726-4900120-00000 Part Time Salaries & Wages (legacy 40,000 101-1726-4001001-00000 Full Time Regular 37,630 10 1- 1726-4002011-00000 Part Time Regular 89,780 101-1726-4009001-00000 Worker's Compensation 7,310 101-1726-400903 1 -00000 Health Insurance Employer 10,710 101-1726-4009011-00000 CaIPERS Employer 14,320 101-1726-4009071-00000 Social Security Employer Tax 5,570 101-1726-4009041-00000 Medicare Employer 1,850 101-1726-5125001-00000 Operating Materials & Supplies 15,000 $ 182,170 $ 182,170 PERSONNEL FY 2024-25 1 Gardener (Full Time) 1 FTE 1 Recreation Supervisor I (Full Time) 1 FTE 10 Recreation Leader (Part Time) 5 FTE 8 Recreation Crew Supervisor (Part Time) 4 FTE 1 Recreation Coordinator I (Part Time) .75 FTE THAT the purpose is to appropriate $182,170 for fiscal year 2024-25 for the addition of the following new positions within the Redding Sports Park: one new Recreation Supervisor, eight Recreation Crew Supervisors, ten Recreation Leaders, one Recreation Coordinator, and one Gardener position, to manage daily operations at the Park. I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing resolution was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Redding on the 4th day of March, 2025, and was duly adopted at said meeting by the following vote: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS: ATTEST: SHARLENE TIPTON, City Clerk JACK MUNNS, Mayor FORM APPROVAL: CHRISTIAN M. CURTIS, City Attorney C IT Y OF REMDINO�" AN CITY OF REDDING REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: August 20, 2024 FROM: Travis Menne, Director of ITEM NO. 9.6(a) Community Services ***APPROVED BY*** Tr =is a r art c r t i �T.ii .Sovices 8, ,12024 r ' tpp i tn,, "iia ' 8/15/2024 tmenne ,cityofredding.org btippin@cityofredding.org SUBJECT: 9.6(a)--Consideration of Short -Term Operations Plan Options for the Redding Sports Park Recommendation Authorize the following actions relative to the City of Redding (City) Sports Park: (1) Accept the report regarding short-term operations; (2) Direct staff to pursue a City -run, short-term operations plan; and (3) Authorize the City Manager to administratively approve an expenditure of up to $200,000 for Park operations and minor maintenance repair. Fiscal Impact Facilitating short-term operations will require an appropriation of $200,000 from the General Fund. This initial budget would allow the City of Redding (City) to cashflow operational costs while revenue is generated. Operational costs include: payroll, utilities, maintenance and contracts as expenses occur. Facility revenue can backfill the operating budget with the goal of operational sustainability. Revenue and expense assumptions are based on user -provided data pertaining to historical schedules, costs, and operations. However, these assumptions have yet to be proven, and a broad budget is necessary to fund the estimated park operations. Based on known expenses and staffing projections, the budget should cashflow operations for at least two months. Projected revenues will backfill and allow the startup budget to fund operations for six months, at which time staff anticipates the City Council (Council) will authorize a long-term direction and an updated budget. Alternative Action The Council could choose not to select a short-term option or provide an alternate direction to staff. Report to Redding City Council August 15, 2024 Re: 9.6(a) - -Short- Term Operations for the Redding Sports Park Page 2 BackgroundlAnalysis At their meeting on. July 29, 2024, the Council unanimously voted to terminate the Sports Park Lease Agreement (C-0458) after receiving a notice of surrender from Big League Dreams, effectively closing the Sports Park. During that meeting, the Council directed staff to return with. options for short-term operations of the Redding Sports Park (Park). Since then, City staff has met with nine organizations representing teams, leagues, and tournament directors about their groups' present and future needs at the Park. These groups provided key insights into operations and the unmet needs of the Park users as staff collected needed data points to plan for near - normal levels of service at the Park. Staff included the representatives from Shasta Regional Soccer Association (SRSA) in multiple meetings with user groups to gather information and provide consultation. Additionally, staff met with SRSA several times and toured the facility to gather operational data. After this process, the City and SRSA concluded that the City is best suited for operating the Park in the immediate term. Staff has conceptualized a model in which the Community Services Department (Department) operates the facility for approximately six months while developing long-term options for Council to consider at a future meeting. In this model, the Department's Recreation Division would operate the facility with existing and additional staff. Services could include operations of the Field House and ballfields, focusing on leagues ran by outside organizations, existing tournaments, and practices. Staff would identify a programming matrix and work with outside groups as partners to help facilitate activities as staffing allows. In the short-term, organizing and running in-house leagues would be problematic as it requires too much staff time. The community, however, would be encouraged to form user -led groups that can facilitate league play as staff gains experience running the facility and capacity improves. Furthermore, the Department's Parks and Building Maintenance Divisions would perform basic maintenance and repairs. In the interim, staffing would be limited to basic services, and concessions would not be feasible. Additionally, the City would only perform large capital improvements once a long-term plan and appropriate funding is in place. The City may also need to rely on partnerships and volunteers for some operational components, a strategy which is generally supported by existing user groups. This short-term model allows for most of the existing programming and minimal ongoing disruption to user groups. With direction from Council staff will create the appropriate long-term plans necessary to ensure the Park can serve the community and work toward restoring it as a quality community asset. Environmental Review This is not a project defined under the California Environmental Quality Act, and no further action is required. Council Priority/City Manager Goals • Government of the 21st Century — `Be relevant and proactive to the opportunities and challenges of today's residents and workforce. Anticipate the future to make better decisions today." Report to Redding City Council August 15, 2024 Re: 9.6(a) - -Short- Term Operations for the Redding Sports Park Page 3 Attachments Previous Staff Report - July 29, 2024 C IT Y OF REMDINO�" AN CITY OF REDDING REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: July 29, 2024 FROM: Travis Menne, Director of ITEM NO. 3.1 Community Services ***APPROVED BY*** Tray=is cnr" rec r t it 'unit `aei ices 7,' 1?t1 8 r ' tppin, Ci n e 7,' 6/202 tmenne ,cityofredding.org btippin@cityofredding.org SUBJECT: 3. 1 --Consider termination of Contract with Big League Dreams Redding, LLC. Recommendation Authorize the following actions relative to the Sports Park (Park) Lease Agreement (C-0458) with Big League Dreams Redding, LLC: (1) Authorize the termination of the Park Lease Agreement (C-0458) with Big League Dreams Redding, LLC in accordance with Section 17 of the Lease Agreement effective immediately; and (2) Direct staff to explore options for the future operations and maintenance of the Park, to include but not be limited to, operating the Park in-house and issuing a Request for Proposals for a third -party operator. Fiscal Impact In March 2023, Big League Dreams USA (BLD) signed a Letter of Agreement (LOA) agreeing to repay past due lease payments totaling $182,818. Since then, BLD made three monthly payments of $18,000 each per the LOA terms, after which they have not made any other payments toward their LOA debt. BLD also failed to pay lease payments for the second, third and fourth quarters of 2023, as well as the first two quarters of 2024. BLD made one payment of $10,000 on May 7, 2024. Since BLD failed to submit the first and second quarter reports to the City of Redding (City), the current total owed in quarterly payments cannot be accurately calculated. Based on recent years' average first and second quarter payments, and the past due lease payments, BLD owes the City approximately $215,182.74. The fiscal impact of terminating the lease is unknown at this time. Alternative Action City Council (Council) could choose not to terminate the contract. This alternative would allow BLD to continue to operate the Big League Dreams Sports Park (Park). This option may not be available as BLD has ceased operations and has not obtained insurance to continue operations. Report to Redding City Council July 26, 2024 Re: 3.1--Terminate Contract with Big League Dreams Redding, LLC Page 2 BackgroundlAnalysis In 2001, the City and BLD Redding executed a Lease agreement (Agreement) for the operation and maintenance of the Park. In 2004, the Park was opened and the start of the 35-year lease term began. The agreement conditions require BLD to pay monthly lease payments equivalent to six percent of gross receipts after the first three years. BLD paid over $950,000 in lease payments through May 2019..At that point, BLD fell behind in its payments compounded by COVID restrictions which closed the Park for almost a year. In August 2022, TC Sports acquired all nine BLD facilities and took over operations. On. February 21, 2023, Council approved the LOA (C-0458) with. BLD USA for the payment of past due lease obligations of BLD Redding and a capital improvement plan to address Park repairs, replacements and improvements. On July 20, 2023, the LOA was amended to extend the timeline for many of the projects. The current status of the improvements is noted below: Project I Status I Notes BLD was required to complete the capital improvements below by August 15, 2023: Batting Cage Repairs Complete New POS System Partially complete Paint Buildings Partially complete In progress Paint Outfield Replica Walls " Partially painted Decalsmissing Parking Lot Lighting Complete Stadium Club Paint Exterior complete Fix All Broken Stadium Seats Incomplete Pawtucket Grading Repairs in Outfield Incomplete Restroom Upgrade Incomplete Stadium Club Flooring Incomplete BLD was required to complete the capital improvements below by October 1, 2023: Repair Shade Structures - Replica Fields 3 of 5 complete Not installed BLD was required to complete the capital improvements below by March 31, 2024: Turf Installation at Home Base Incomplete Not started Turf Replacement Infield Incomplete Not started Sand in Volleyball Courts Incomplete Not started Staff issued a letter to BLD on April 18, 2024, which stipulated that if payment was not made by a certain date, the City would issue official notice to cure pursuant to Section 17 of the Agreement. On June 28, 2024, after receiving only partial payment, the City issued a formal notice to cure under the contract. The notice demanded payment for all past due rents and penalties, plus the performance of the maintenance items and capital improvements listed above. The notice was issued pursuant to Sections 17.a.i (failure to pay rent), 17.a.iv (default under Report to Redding City Council July 26, 2024 Re: 3.1--Terminate Contract with Big League Dreams Redding, LLC Page 3 related agreements) and 17.a.v (other default). The Agreement gives BLD 10 days to cure the failure to pay rent and 30 days to cure most other failures. BLD has since failed to make payment within the 10-day period. With the delinquent payments, substandard maintenance, and failure to perform capital improvements identified in the LOA, BLD is in breach of contract. Section 17.b.ii of the Agreement allows the City to terminate the lease with BLD and take possession of the Park. Should Council decide to exercise this option, BLD will be required to vacate the Park and remove its property. However, in this case, several decisions regarding short- and long-term options must be made. First, the City must act on the operations of the Park. There are many tournaments and leagues scheduled at the Park. Without an operator or budgeted funds with a detailed plan for staff to take over operations, it is likely the Park will need to be shut down, causing the events to be cancelled and impacting the community. As of this writing, it appears BLD has vacated the Park causing a disruption of the aforementioned events. Staff has currently identified the following long-term options Council could choose from: 1. Direct staff to develop and issue a Request for Proposals for a new tenant to lease the Park. 2. Direct staff to develop an operations and maintenance plan to run the Park in house. 3. Direct staff to look into selling the Park to another party. With general direction from Council staff will create plans and develop the strategies needed to ensure the Park can serve the community and work toward restoring it as a quality community asset. Environmental Review This is not a project defined under the California Environmental Quality Act, and no further action is required. Council Priority/City Manager Goals • Government of the 21st Century — `Be relevant and proactive to the opportunities and challenges of today's residents and workforce. Anticipate the future to make better decisions today." Attachments ^Notice of Surrender - BLD Redding 07-25-24 C-0458 BLD Lease C-0458 BLD Lease Amend 1 C-0458 BLD Lease Amend 2 C-0458 BLD Lease—Amend-3 C-0458 Letter of Agreement C-0458 - First Amendment - 2023 - Big League Dreams USA July 25, 2024 VIA ELECTRONIC AND CERTIFIED MAIL City of Redding City of Redding c/o Travis Menne, Director of Community Services c/o Redding City Attorney 777 Cypress Avenue 777 Cypress Avenue Redding, California 96001 Redding, California 96001 Email: tmenne@cityofredding.org RE: Big League Dreams Redding Sports Park Mr. Menne: Our office serves as outside general counsel for Big League Dreams Redding, LLC ("BLD Redding") and its affiliates. As such, please direct all future legal -related communications to our office. All terms not defined herein shall have the meaning as set forth in the Sports Park Lease between City of Redding (the "City") and BLD Redding. This letter shall serve as formal notice of surrender of the Sports Park effective as of July 26, 2024. As previously explained in BLD Redding's correspondence dated July 15, 2024, the Sports Park has operated at a loss for some time. BLD Redding attempted to find an amicable solution that allowed for the smooth transition of the Sports Park, but the City's response made clear it was not aligned with the same belief. BLD Redding simply does not have the funding to continue to operate at a loss. As such, BLD Redding has made the difficult decision to surrender possession of the Sports Park back to the City for the City's continued use and operation. BLD Redding remains willing to provide a certain level of assistance in the transition of the Sports Park. To that end, you may contact Kevin Floraor Larry Reynolds (tarry &re noldssports.com) to discuss logistics of the transition of the Sports Park. If there are questions related to the surrender or other legal matters, please direct those questions to our office. I can be contacted at (972) 370-3333 or via email at justin@plunksmith.com. hank you, ustin J. D in ger ..�:° �` *. t Recreation (RSA') Staff $591,100 Maintenance Staff $126,500 Administrative Staff $15,000 O&M Materials $60,000 Contracts (HVAC, Security, Pest, Fire) $30,000 I Lim Supplies (concessions, janifor iat, office) $25,000 Bank Service Fees $2,400 Total Expenses $965,000 Total Revenue $552$000 I N RERM 4 F--m- f717 From: Members. Council To: Erin —Resner; Lack —Munns ; _M1_ke_W_ttav; Pau( Dhqnuka; TQn3 _ ess Audp—tt—e Cc: LQgm_B3_r_ry; Bade. Steve; M2nug_T_ra_v_1s; D2tQ_n_a_har_12_ng; Barnhart,Erin Subject: FW: Long -Term Option for Redding Sports Park Operations - Item 9.6(a) on tonight's 3/4/25 Council Meeting Agenda Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 8:26:54 AM Attachments: Letter to Jack Munns 3-3-25.docx From: mary(, Sent: Monday, March 3, 2025 7:05 PM To: Munns, Jack <jmunns@cityofredding.org> Subject: Long -Term Option for Redding Sports Park Operations CAUTION: This email originated from outside the City of Redding" please be careful with links or attachrrients. Dear Mr. Munns, Please see the attached letter regarding Community Services 9.6(a) on calendar for the City Council Meeting on March 4, 2025 at 6:00pm. Thankyou! Mary Ocasion 91MI ►' IMITi7 Redding City Council 3-3-35 Re: Long -Term Option for Redding Sports Park Operations Dear Mr. Munns, I am writing to you again, as a concerned Grandmother of two Shasta Roller Hockey League (SRHL) Players. My Grandson and Granddaughter play recreational Roller Hockey and are on the SRHL Roadrunners Traveling Team. 1 urge you to make the decision to direct staff to continue operations of the park until at least the end of the Fiscal Year 2026-27. This includes the appropriation of funds per Resolution to approve and adopt the 68th Amendment to City Budget Resolution No 2023-060. 1 would love to see a concessionaire in the future, which may provide more revenue for the City. My Grandkids and the other players have had the most wonderful sport experience playing Roller Hockey. Some players on their teams drive to Redding from Mt. Shasta and from Chico to participate. Without this Hockey Arena, they would need to be driven to Vacaville to participate in this sport. My son is a coach and a participant in the adult hockey league also. My daughter-in-law has just started playing on the Adult C League for beginners. A North American Roller Hockey Championship Qualifier Tournament (Narch) will be held at the Redding Sports Park this coming weekend, March 7-9. It would be a wonderful thing for you to come and see the activities. Several teams are traveling to Redding and will be staying in hotels, eating at restaurants and participating in many divisions of hockey from children 8 and under to adults. The Softball and Baseball teams also utilize this sports complex and bring in money to the community by hosting tournaments. I have heard from people in other cities who have a favorite Redding Restaurant and Hotel due to their participation in the tournaments hosted at this Sports Park. As 1 am sure you know, participation in sports is very important for children and adults and we hope to continue using this Sports Complex in the years to come. Thank you for your consideration, Mary Ocasion Redding, CA 96002 mar1 From: Memberm^Couuncil To: -Barnhart EriuLRLO�� Subject: FW: Redding Sports Park - Roller Hockey/ Speech - Item 9.6(a) on tomorrow"s 3/4/25 City Council Agenda Date: Tuesday, March *' 20259:16:42xM Attachments: Hockey Speech.pdf From: Members, Council Sent: Monday, March 3,2O252:2OPM 'Erin ' 'Mike Lit1au' 'Pau|Dhanuka' >; |enessaAudette Cc:Tippin, Barry<btippin@dtyofreddingor8>; Bade, Sieve<obade@cityofreddin8org>; Curtis, Christian<ccurtis@dtyofreddin8.or8> Subject: FVV: Redding Sports Park Roller Hocke«/Speech Item 9.6(a) on tomorrovv's 3/4/25 City Council Agenda From: Spenser Manquiss > Sent: Monday, March S,J0251:O4PK4 To: Members, Council Subject: Redding Sports Park - Roller Hockey/ Speech CAU71ON:1-his email o�iginated frorn outside the City of Redding; please be careful with links or attachments, | had sent this email toTravis Menrmmodker today inhopes it would reach you for the public meeting tomorrow evening. He informed me that I could send it directly to you. I'm sure you receive an absurd amount nfnmai|aalready, ooit's myhope that this reaches the right person. See Below Hello there, my name is Spenser Marquiss, and 1 am honored to be here today to speak about the importance of revitalizing and supporting our local sports complex, but primarily our roller hockey rink. A little bit about myself, I am originally from San Jose, California, and moved to Chico in 2022. Having a place to play hockey within a reasonable distance was a non-negotiable for that move from the Bay Area. Hockey has been an integral part of my life for over 25 years. My passion for the sport began at a young age when my sister and I went to watch our dad play in his adult league games. From there, both of us developed a love for not just the game, but for the community surrounding Roller Hockey. And let me tell you... our community runs deep. Hockey provided me with the opportunity to receive a scholarship and play at a collegiate level. (5 Time National Champion — Not a Big Deal) It allowed my sister to play at the collegiate level just an hour south at Chico State University. It allowed my sister and I to represent the United States of America and play in the 2012 FIRS WORLD INLINE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP held in Bucaramanga Colombia. Most importantly it allowed me to meet my wife, who just so happened to be my 16u Hockey Coach's daughter, and we have been together for 15 years. That's the main reason I'm here today —to speak about the importance of revitalizing and supporting our local roller hockey rink to ensure that future generations can experience the same joy and connection that I had growing up and to maintain the one that our adult recreation community continues to have. Now for the more essential reasoning as to why this place is important. Let's start with location. This Multi -Purpose Facility is the only facility that offers sanctioned roller hockey within a 215- mile radius. The next closest being Oakland CA which is 4 hours south and then seasonally offered in Bend, Oregon which is 4.5 hours north, making this niche sport a vital space for roller hockey enthusiasts across 400 linear miles. This upcoming weekend we have a professionally ran roller hockey tournament, fielding 26 teams with people and players coming all areas of the Western United States, including Seattle Washington, Boise Idaho, Portland Oregon, Bend Oregon, Eureka, Shasta, Chico, Oakland, Modesto, Antioch, Sonora, Sacramento, San Jose, Morgan Hill... All of these people coming from out of town just to play hockey in Redding CA. That doesn't even include the people coming from out of town for the softball tournament. The rink itself needs the least amount of upgrades to continue usability among all other activities at the Sports Park. However, securing funding would allow us to complete the necessary renovations of the Fieldhouse to ensure the long-term usability and safety of the rest of the complex. Now 1 don't want to just share "my passion and wants" for the rink to stay open, but I would also like to offer a suggestion to help revitalize the complex. I'd like to highlight an incredible opportunity: applying for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant. The LWCF is offering up to $6 million for local agencies exactly like this to improve recreational spaces. This grant could be the key to securing the funding necessary to complete these critical renovations. The grant is open to cities, counties, federally recognized Native American tribes, and other public agencies with the ability to acquire, operate, and maintain public park and recreation areas. The next application deadline is in September 2025, and this is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss. By securing this funding, we will not only restore the complex, but also enhance its accessibility and safety, ensuring it remains a valuable resource for the entire community. As a final recommendation, would annexing or some other similar action of the Fieldhouse to accommodate the multiple programs that currently operate there be entirely out of the question? It seems excessive to discontinue all programs at the Sports Park simply because certain areas require more maintenance and funding than others. That said, I recognize the importance of ensuring that all sports and programs at the park continue to operate. However, hockey does not have the same alternatives as Socer, Volleyball, and Softball/ Baseball, etc.. It is not a field sport and has no alternative facility if the Fieldhouse is shut down. Thank you for your time, and I hope that you truly think about every single possible outcome of this decision to either shatter or revitalize this essential part of our community for current and future generations.