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New STEEN Sports Complex leadership seeks grants, field repairs to revive tournaments
Summary
Newly elected leaders of STEEN Sports Complex told Klamath County commissioners they are pursuing grant funding, field renovations and business-oriented programming to restore tournaments and generate sustainable revenue.
Dana Ouellette, newly elected president of STEEN Sports Complex, told the Klamath County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 29 that the complex is under new leadership and is pursuing a mix of grants, programming and facility repairs to restore tournaments and revenue.
"We only have 1 remaining board member that has sat on the board for many, many years," Ouellette said, describing a significantly reconstituted volunteer board and renewed focus on operations.
Why it matters: The STEEN Sports Complex, also described as Klamath County Youth Sports Complex, hosts tournaments and local programs that draw families and visiting teams. Board members said tournaments and improved programming could bring substantial tourism spending to the county and stressed the need for capital improvements to host more events.
Funding and priorities: Ouellette said the board is finishing work to close out ARPA funding and has hired a grant writer. Current priorities include developing a master plan, seeking a minimum of $100,000 in grant funding this year, allocating $30,000 for immediate field improvements (with Field 2 cited as in need of full excavation and replanting) and $20,000 for new equipment.
Operations and revenue: Board members outlined revenue-generating programs: a batting-cage membership at $225 per year, cage rentals at $100 per hour, use by Oregon Tech teams, winter academies and plans for more tournaments. The board said one recent tournament generated roughly $10,000–$11,000 after expenses; they expect some weekend events to net about $7,000 for the park. They also noted the Harold Howard tournament historically brought 60 teams to Klamath County.
Challenges and management: The group described past management as volunteer-driven and not run as a sustainable business, which they said limited marketing, scheduling and revenue capture. Ouellette said the board is updating the website and social-media access and recovering control of accounts to improve outreach to visiting teams.
County response and next steps: Commissioners thanked the volunteers and offered to help facilitate conversations with county staff and potential partners. The board asked the county for assistance identifying excavation contractors and other resources that might be available during off months to complete immediate field work ahead of the May tournament calendar. No formal county funding commitment or vote was made at the work session.
Ending: The STEEN board said it will continue work with its grant writer and return to county staff with more detailed budgets and a proposed master plan; county commissioners expressed willingness to help connect the board with resources.
