Council asks staff to study RV parking at Buena Vista Sports Complex amid tournament growth

The City Council directed staff to conduct a feasibility and cost study for RV parking and related infrastructure at the Buena Vista Sports Complex after presentations from parks staff and facility leadership.

Parks assistant director Anita Stanby and Buena Vista superintendent Greg Lafage described weekend tournament growth, current nearby RV capacity at Lake Plas Blanca (about 64 spots roughly 6.5 miles away) and an estimated hotel inventory. Lafage gave preliminary startup cost ranges: roughly $1.8 million–$3.4 million for parking‑only sites (about $10,000–$24,000 per space) and higher ($30,000–$70,000 per space) if full water/electric/sewer hookups were included. Staff said operational costs and security needs would require further study and that potential revenue assumptions used by other cities range widely.

Councilmembers asked about demand signals, impacts to hotel tax revenue and whether the RV park would displace future masterplan phases for the complex. Staff said about 200 out‑of‑town teams had used the complex in a recent three‑month period and that about 65 acres within the 200‑acre master plan may not have been allocated for other uses yet; they pledged to check any deed or donation restrictions.

The motion directing management to study feasibility passed. Staff will return with recommendations on the appropriate number of RV spaces, potential locations, utility and infrastructure requirements, estimated construction and operating costs, potential funding sources and effects on the broader master plan.