Council OKs new video board and clubhouse HVAC upgrades at Momentum Bank Ballpark

The Midland City Council approved on July 22 a contract to replace the video board at Momentum Bank Ballpark and separately approved funding for two Aon HVAC units for the ballpark clubhouse.

The video board project: Staff described the existing video board as 11 years old and failing; the council approved a $1,519,399 purchase through Sourcewell plus an additional $151,951 in project-related costs to remove the current board, install structural supports if needed, and put in a new 2,138-square-foot LED board. Parks staff said the new display will increase advertising opportunities; the Rockhounds minor-league partner agreed to let the city keep 100 percent of video-board advertising revenue (the parties’ standard agreement had been 50/50), and staff estimated at least $100,000 a year in gross advertising revenue as conservative baseline.

Daktronics representative Charlie Durenberger told council Daktronics will remove the existing LED panels and that the company’s contract covers equipment lift/crane and project management; staff and the vendor agreed to clarify precisely which components the city must remove.

Shelley Hange, representing the Midland Rockhounds, said the new board will be larger and improve fan experience; she called the $100,000-per-year revenue estimate conservative and said digital inventory will allow more, higher-value sponsorships.

HVAC club-house contract: Separately, the council awarded a contract to First Service Air Conditioning Inc. for two Aon HVAC units for the clubhouse at a cost of $263,550 plus $26,355 for related project expenses. Staff described the units as commercial-grade equipment appropriate for enclosed spaces with high occupancy. Procurement staff briefed the council on the solicitation; staff said the bid process produced a single responsive proposal and described steps they will take to try to encourage broader competition for future procurements.

Council action and conditions: The video-board contract was approved 5–0; the HVAC contract award was approved unanimously as well. Council members asked staff to clarify the scope of vendor responsibilities for removal and disposal of the old board and to pursue resale or auction of reusable parts where feasible.

What this means for the parks fund: Staff said the project will be paid from the sports-complex fund balance and that advertising revenue and reduced production costs for static signs will offset some of the ongoing costs. If contingency funds for structural reinforcement are not used, the excess will return to the sports complex fund.