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Camden County approves $15,000 tourism-fund payment to Camdenton schools for national baseball tournaments
Summary
Commissioners voted March 19 to authorize a $15,000 payment from county TCLA tourism funds to Camdenton R-III School District so out-of-area baseball tournaments can use school fields; county staff said the events could deliver an estimated $840,000 in local economic activity.
The Camden County Commission authorized a $15,000 payment from county tourism (TCLA) funds on March 19 to cover a per-day use fee charged by Camdenton R-III School District so out-of-area baseball tournaments can use school fields.
Marcus Sykora, who appeared with Heather Brown of the LOZ Convention Visitor Bureau, said Ballparks National tournaments have outgrown their facilities and that Camdenton School agreed to allow overflow play provided the tournament pays a fee to cover turf deterioration. Sykora said the tournament director agreed to pay $20,000 of the $35,000 bid and requested Camden County cover the remaining $15,000 from TCLA funds. "If they cannot come up with the $15,000, they will be unable to fulfill the agreement with Camdenton School District, and at least 36 teams will be unable to participate in the events," Sykora said.
Heather Brown presented estimated economic data, telling the commission, "On the low end, she estimates an economic impact of $840,000.00." First District Commissioner James Gohagan said that projected economic return made the request a reasonable use of the funds. Commissioner Steve Dougan moved to approve the $15,000 payment from TCLA funds; Commissioner Gohagan seconded and the motion passed with both commissioners recorded as "aye."
The commission recorded the payment vote as a routine funding decision; no competing funding sources or alternative proposals were transcribed in the meeting record.
