At a Franklin Tourism Commission meeting, representatives of Colonial Sport Club outlined a two‑phase project they say would increase year‑round play and overnight stays in Franklin.

Dan Stadler, who introduced himself as the club’s youth‑program president, said Phase 1 would replace a natural field with artificial turf and Phase 2 would add field lighting. "Phase 1 is the turf field. Phase 2 is adding lights," Stadler said. He gave cost estimates of "$650,000 to $800,000" for the turf and "$180,000 to $300,000" for lights and said the club has roughly $450,000 in reserves for major projects.

Stadler said the club sometimes rents turf for weekend play and that permanent turf would let organizers host games earlier in the spring and later into the fall, increasing hotel stays from visiting teams. He asked the commission to "take a $100 to $200,000 from you" to help move the project forward, describing that amount as what would "get this project kicked off," but did not specify whether those dollars would be applied to turf, lights or preliminary engineering.

Richard Rabia and Bonnie Stadler were also in the presentation; Rabia is listed on the application as an authorized representative and Bonnie Stadler as executive director on the application materials presented to the commission.

Commission members questioned organizers about timing, logistics and likely economic impact. Commissioners asked the club to provide a quantified estimate of overnight room nights tied to the events they host and to return with more detailed cost and contractor quotes. The commission did not vote on funding at the meeting.

Stadler summarized expected outcomes: the turf would allow games in February and March and later in the year, and lights would permit evening play and extra matches, increasing team capacity. He said the club had solicited multiple contractor estimates for turf and lighting and planned to continue refining bids and sponsorship commitments.

The commission closed the agenda item by asking staff and the club to coordinate on follow‑up materials — particularly data linking tournaments/events to hotel room nights — before the commission takes any formal funding action.