Little League seeks longer-term site at district property; board hears $1 million-per-field estimate
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Summary
Phoenix-Talent School District board heard an update from Little League representatives about a potential long-term lease, fundraising needs and early cost estimates — including a rough $1 million-per-field figure and a request that the district advance a draft lease and related memoranda of understanding.
The Phoenix-Talent School District board on Tuesday heard a presentation from Matt, a Little League board representative, on plans to secure a longer-term site at district property and to upgrade playing fields.
The presentation outlined Little League’s history as a roughly 60-year nonprofit, said the group recently signed a five-year extension at its current location and described that extension as likely the last long-term agreement at that site. Matt told the board the organization currently has about 70 children playing this season and that several varsity baseball and softball players at the high school came through the league’s program.
Matt said the Little League has begun fundraising but needs more certainty on the district relationship before major donors will commit. He told the board that he has asked for a draft lease and that counsel has shared an initial lease draft. Matt also described the need for an MOU and other expectations to clarify responsibilities and operations if the Little League moves to a district master-plan site.
On cost, Matt cited estimates from a contact involved in a similar Central Point project and said a reasonable planning figure is “plan on a million dollars a field.” He and board members noted that those were rough, dated numbers and that updated cost estimates would be required during an engineering and design phase. District staff said they could ask GCS (a design contractor) for a field cost estimate once the project proceeds.
Board members and staff described next steps as largely planning and scoping: continued master-planning for the athletics area of the campus, a draft lease and MOU to set expectations, and more detailed cost estimates and fundraising plans before any capital campaign is launched. Matt emphasized fundraising and grant-writing capacity as key next steps and said the Little League’s small volunteer board is seeking support drafting grants and identifying potential capital partners.
District staff said they have shared a lease starting point with Little League counsel and that any infrastructure costs beyond the lease (e.g., parking, utilities, field construction) would be addressed later through MOUs, lease terms or capital contracts. No formal board action was taken on the item at the meeting.
Ending: Board members asked staff to continue working with Little League representatives and counsel on lease and MOU language and to return with cost estimates and a clearer timeline before any formal commitment by the district.
