Officials say project won't begin until a team is signed

By Candace Sipos -- csipos@nvdaily.com

WINCHESTER -- Hours after city officials went public with a proposal for a new baseball stadium, they addressed questions brought up by Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members about the project.

Jim Deskins, executive director of the city's Economic Development Authority, repeated the same message delivered at press conference Monday morning -- the project will only be started once a minor league affiliated team is secured.

As was the case at the conference, officials presented no evidence that any one team is being considered.

Interim City Manager Craig Gerhart recapped the EDA's decision at its Monday morning meeting -- to request that City Council consider transferring 12 acres of city land to the authority.

Along with Gerhart, Deskins presented the positive reasons for bringing a new team and stadium to the northeast corner of Jim Barnett Park.

First off, "Sports is entertainment. Entertainment is revenue," Deskins said, noting the potential financial impact of bringing what Gerhart estimated to be 250,000 people per year to one area of the city.

And they wouldn't just stay in the stadium, Gerhart pointed out.

"They start coming back to the city for other events," he said, recounting how the pattern plays out in other cities. "It becomes a generator for activity and attendance. ... Tens of thousands of people drive past here all the time. This would give Winchester a point on the journey."

It might also help to attract new businesses and expansions, he added, noting that the city was in stark competition with a community in Texas to house the recent Rubbermaid expansion. The stadium might "enhance the quality-of-life scorecard" that such companies investigate when deciding where to expand, he suggested.

Deskins also discussed the non-financial benefits.

"We think it helps to create a sense of community and identity," he said.

The stadium would also bring about 50 to 75 summer jobs for youths, he noted.

Board members brought up concerns, such as the need to relocate the BMX track currently on the proposed property and the need to mitigate any potential schedule conflicts with Shenandoah University and John Handley High School baseball games.

Deskins said these issues are being taken into consideration, as well as the need for more parking spaces and a system to smooth potential traffic back-ups.

Board member Krista Farris and Chairman Bradley Veach suggested eventually creating a pocket park solely for extreme sports, including the BMX track and a skate plaza that has been an unrealized project for roughly a decade.

Deskins invited board members to attend the transportation committee meeting at 3 p.m. today, and the City Council work session at 6 p.m. for more information on the stadium project.