Pro softball in Elgin…why?
November 9th, 2007According to the Daily Herald, the city is in discussions to bring the Chicago Bandits pro softball team to Elgin. The team would play at a yet-to-be built stadium next to the Elgin Sports Complex/Highlands of Elgin golf course.
The subject of public financing for sports stadiums has been studied extensively and the conclusions are always dim. One such study, that of the Brookings Institution concludes that:
A new sports facility has an extremely small (perhaps even negative) effect on overall economic activity and employment. No recent facility appears to have earned anything approaching a reasonable return on investment. No recent facility has been self-financing in terms of its impact on net tax revenues. Regardless of whether the unit of analysis is a local neighborhood, a city, or an entire metropolitan area, the economic benefits of sports facilities are de minimus. (source: Brookings Institute)
And yet for this zero economic benefit, the city is ready to deploy what will surely amount to millions. Just the cost of improvements at Judson where they will play temporarily until the stadium is built is pegged at $350K. That’s no trivial amount. At a similar price tag, we could establish an art center in the downtown or undertake any of a number of projects that will better meet the city’s immediate needs.
Not only are the economics poor, but the presence of a pro softball team, especially one called the Chicago Bandits (not Elgin Bandits) does nothing to enhance the city’s image. This isn’t like having the Packers or the Bears. Even if they were named the Elgin Bandits, nobody watches softball. That’s a fact that will never change. And certainly, it won’t help that according to the Herald, “In 2008 the Bandits and the rest of the National Pro Fastpitch league will not have marquee Olympic players like Jennie Finch and Cat Osterman on their rosters.”
The Bandits have been playing in Lisle. Has that made Lisle famous? Did the folks in Lisle get such a bang for their buck, that they are trying to keep this team? No. If Lisle doesn’t want this team, why would Elgin?
What are the stadium plans?
…a 4,400-seat stadium on the site of the old Spartan Meadows Golf Course, which is now part of the Highlands of Elgin.
The 45-acre entertainment and sports complex could also include two miniature golf courses, gardens, batting cages, restaurants and shops, a Santa’s Village-type amusement park and a 3-hole golf course…(source: Daily Herald 11/3/07)
“It would revolutionize the softball industry,� Clarke said. “We would be like the Yankees of softball.� (source: Northwest Herald)
Wow, and the only city within 2,000 miles ready to finance such a revolutionizing project is us?
I don’t get it!
I guess there is a tiny group of people who will now know Elgin as a home for a pro team. And there is a small warm glow thinking, “Ah, that’s kind of a nice thing to do�. But please, this venture will have no positive economic impact on our city. I cannot think of one good reason Elgin is considering this. Today it was reported to be part of the new City budget.
I have nothing against Judson University. But this looks like a $350,000 gift and just on principle that seems wrong.
Is this the same Mayor and Council that take a beating every year about The Centre and it’s deficit operation? Well at least The Centre offers some benefits to a wide spectrum of Elgin citizens and tax payers. But this softball thing?
Well like I said, I don’t get it.
Posted November 15th, 2007 at 7:42 pmI hope we are not the only ones, IRV.
Posted November 16th, 2007 at 3:28 am