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Pecos cuts Cyclone Fields rental to $5,000 after Little League plea; tournament drew regional visitors and $1.6M impact
Summary
After testimony from Pecos Little League, the council reduced a proposed $10,000 Cyclone Fields rental fee to $5,000 for this year. Cyclone Ballparks staff also reported a recent NIT tournament that brought dozens of travel teams and roughly $1.6 million in estimated regional economic impact.
The Pecos City Council voted to reduce the Cyclone Fields rental fee to $5,000 for the current season after Pecos Little League leaders warned a $10,000 charge would strain families and volunteers.
Tony Trujillo, president of Pecos Little League, told the council the league covers uniforms, equipment and other operating costs and pleaded, “I respectfully [ask] the council to waive the rental fee for the Pecos Little League for this season,” adding that the league is starting a Challenger division for children with special needs.
The fee decision followed a presentation from Thomas Ward, general manager of Cyclone Ballparks, who reviewed a recent National Invitational Tournament the facility hosted. Ward said the event drew 54 teams — 28 travel squads from more than 70 miles away — and about 2,300 guests per day to the ballpark. He reported food and beverage receipts of $25,382 for the facility over the weekend and an estimated total regional economic impact of roughly $1.6 million when direct and indirect spending are included.
City staff and several council members discussed alternatives to a full fee waiver, including asking county partners for assistance, carving out a concession‑revenue share to offset field fees, and encouraging volunteer or maintenance duties in exchange for reduced fees. Councilman Trujillo moved to reduce the rental fee to $5,000 for this year; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.
Staff characterized the $10,000 figure as intended to recover operating costs — staffing, utilities and maintenance — rather than to generate profit. Ward told the council the ballpark exceeded some expectations for revenue and is working to refine staffing and trash‑management plans to improve margins.
Next steps identified by staff include exploring partnerships with the county and local stakeholders to sustain youth access to fields, and bringing related fee or policy proposals back to council if needed.
