Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The Springfield Park District is closer to getting out of the baseball stadium business.
The Park Board Wednesday, during a one-minute special meeting and with no discussion, approved an intergovernmental agreement that would transfer Robin Roberts Stadium back to city control after about 23 years, as part of a larger plan to eventually turn its control over to Springfield Lucky Horseshoes-backed Friends of Robin Roberts Stadium.
“I’m not speaking for the board; I’m speaking for me. But, I can say that I believe we’ve done a great job of managing the stadium,” said Derek Harms, Park District Executive Director. “If there’s somebody else that has greater access to resources to make improvements that we just don’t have the financial resources to do, that’s going to have an impact on our community and make better facilities for our community, I think that’s a win for our whole community.”
The Lucky Horseshoes want to be able to add things like storm drainage and artificial turf, so, they say, more games and more events can be held at the stadium.
For the Park District, that means money believed to be in the six figures that can be used on other needs, once control of Robin Roberts Stadium is out of their hands, said Harms.
“The Park District manages dozens and dozens of facilities for the community. This will allow us to take the staff that worked in [Robin Roberts Stadium], and put them at other facilities,” said Harms. “We have over 40 baseball diamonds that we manage throughout the city, not just one stadium, that are actively used. We will be able to put more resources in — not just to the other baseball facilities — but all of our facilities throughout the community.”
Tuesday, the Springfield City Council approved putting the intergovernmental agreement on their consent agenda for next Tuesday’s meeting, all but assuring its passage. The city would then have to transfer the property to Friends of Robin Roberts Stadium, if the council approves, under the idea backed by the Lucky Horseshoes.
