Residents, staff and user groups urge council to keep Fort Myers Stadium under city management

Dozens of residents and stakeholders urged the City of Fort Myers City Council on Jan. 6 to keep the Fort Myers Stadium under city management, saying municipal operation preserves low-cost programming, community access and long-term stability.

Speakers at the meeting included coaches, longtime volunteers and business representatives who said the stadium supports youth and adult hockey, figure skating, rec programs and regional tournaments. Several said privatization could make programs more expensive and less accessible to lower-income families and could put current stadium employees at risk of job loss or reduced benefits.

The issue was discussed during Council item 4.1 after public comments. City Attorney Alley told council members that the city has issued a request for proposals (RFP) that includes the stadium and that the city manager is the negotiator. Alley advised the council not to take action inconsistent with the RFP during ongoing negotiations, saying, “the negotiator on behalf of the City of Fort Myers is the…