Keizer managers propose $100,000 startup, gate fees for tournaments and reconsideration of $1,000 cap

The management firm working with Keizer told council it recommends a two-part financing approach for the new sports complex: a cash-flow seed (proposed at about $100,000) to hire staff and buy minimal concession and field equipment, and a separate capital budget for longer-term items such as food-service infrastructure. Billy, an operations lead with the company, said the startup money would allow staffing, purchase of bases and drying sand for wet weather, and concession equipment to support tournaments.

Why it matters: Tournament bookings can generate substantial revenue from gate and concession sales. Company representatives told council that the existing contract cap — $1,000 per day — is roughly half of what the company would typically expect for a day with multiple fields in use and could limit revenue potential.

Fees and pricing examples: Staff and the operator summarized prior fee structures. Examples discussed included $50 per game for certain local 60-foot fields and higher fees for nonlocal users, and a range of per-field, per-day tournament fees (operator examples ranged broadly in market comparisons). The operator proposed keeping local youth teams gate-free while charging gate fees for tournaments to preserve community access while capturing event revenue.

Budget process and next steps: The company said it will translate the pro forma into a working budget and return to council in roughly 45 days with more detailed scenarios and recommended fee adjustments. City staff said they will prepare a supplemental budget to seed the enterprise fund for the current fiscal year and include an operating budget for the next fiscal cycle.