1/27/2007

I know. Let's do a study!

Ballparkdigest.com has a link to the latest story on Fort Wayne's downtown baseball stadium. Except it's more of a study on the current baseball stadium and what could happen to it if the Wizards move to the as yet unbuilt, unfunded, and unapproved downtown stadium.

Stadium’s future subject to study
Officials seek uses if Wizards leave

Fort Wayne city officials and Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne hope to work with Allen County officials to determine what will happen to Memorial Stadium if a new baseball stadium is built downtown.

The Allen County commissioners are expected today to discuss whether to enter into an agreement with the city and IPFW to complete a study of the existing stadium. Both Mayor Graham Richard and Chancellor Mike Wartell have signed the written agreement.

Memorial Coliseum trustees learned of the proposed study Thursday. Board members expressed concern about how quickly the process was moving and wanted to be included as the study progresses.

“This could have a significant impact on the Coliseum,” General Manager Randy Brown said.


Ya think?

The proposed study would review the cost to operate the existing baseball stadium and determine any changes needed to accommodate IPFW baseball and other community events. IPFW has said that it is interested in using the stadium as its home field in the event the Wizards move to a downtown stadium. But IPFW has not committed publicly to pay anything for use of the stadium.

The proposed study would also look at the long-term costs of maintaining the stadium and who would be responsible for paying for that maintenance. It also calls for the university and the county to negotiate a lease or ownership interest in the stadium after the Wizards’ final lease has expired.


They need a study to figure out that operating costs would be down if the stadium doesn't have to pay for all the necessities that are involved with 70 games a year? Do they also need a study to tell them that the money coming in will also go down if those 70 games are played elsewhere?

I'm all for contingency planning. I have one involving $2,000 cash, one overnight bag, and a cabin in central middle-of-nowhere.

But, should the school that is looking to kinda, maybe, possibly move into the could be possibly one day vacated Memorial Stadium be doing the study about the economics of them moving into that stadium?

Just asking.

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