City Commission Votes on Tri-Rivers Stadium's Fate

• For the purpose of this article, STA shall mean Salina Tennis Alliance. SNG shall mean Salina Net Generation.

After what is said to be years of a culmination of a lot of conversation and interrelated projects, City Commissioners voted on the fate of the Tri-Rivers Stadium, in direct relationship to the Salina Tennis Alliance proposed tennis complex.

City Manager Michael Schrage made a beginning point that this entire project was never tennis versus the rodeo.

"On July 27, 2020, Salina and Saline County completed our negotiations as related to the renewal of the lease at the Expo Center and Kenwood Park facilities. At that point, by way of the agreement, the County agreed that it was relinquishing its rights under the prior lease to the arena and the arena staging area. As you well know, I described that, and I don't know if it's an over statement, it's a right of first refusal. We did go into that conversation, negotiating away from that. It was finding out what the county's intentions were with the facilities."

Schrage went on, "Having said that, we did communicate what aesthetic expectations and addressing deferred maintenance that had not been previously addressed. The agreement also called out, with the county making that election, the city would have no obligation to maintain the arena area, we could demolish or sell as surplus material what's commonly known as Tri-Rivers Stadium, as well as the other remaining site improvements."

It was also confirmed that the City and County had a tour of the facility in June, 2017. The County appointed a consultant to help them decide how to proceed.

The lease renewal ended on December 31, 2020.

Citizens and stakeholders approached the City and County. Equifest negotiations commenced.

Michael Schrage brought all of this up to reiterate, as we have heard at recent City meetings, that the City of Salina was not involved in direct conversation with users of the facilities that were used by Saline County. That role was deferred to the County.

The County Fair executed a short term lease for the County Fair that commenced on February 4, 2021, with the knowledge that the County would not continue the lease and the City intended to demolish the Stadium. Discussion happened at that point to repurpose the land for tennis, though no agreement was made.

On March 1, 2021, the governing body passed an ordinance which expressed intent for a public private partnership with SNG to build a tennis complex. Meetings have been happening weekly to explore possibilities as far as design and aesthetics.

Conversation also pursued with USD 305, concerning the tennis courts at Jerry Ivey Park.

SNG has established themselves as a non-profit under the name of STA. 12 courts and lights are the base project, with the agreement between the STA and City being crafted in such a way that leaves open their need for any expansion in the future.

On a fiscal note, the resolution of intent anticipated $864,600 in city expenditures: $182,900 committed to demo of Salina Municipal Pool, $82,600 in pool building refurbishing, and $600,000 cash at the end of the project as a contribution to STA.

STA would fund the remainder.

Clark Renfro, from STA, then took the podium. He stated that $1.3 million was raised in March, out of $2.6 million needed for the project. Another $600,000 has been raised for this project in the last 5 months, bringing this project to fiscal fruition.

Commissioner Trent Davis then asked the question about the maintenance and upkeep on the facility. City Manager Michael Schrage said that most of the upkeep can be absorbed in the operational budget.

Commissioner Davis brought up a statement he made at a prior commission meeting. It was his concern that, in increasing the transient guest tax, that not all of the increase "be directed toward baseball." "One of the reasons that I didn't want the increased transient guest tax to be designated just baseball, is that if there's some expense that we know is coming 10 years down the road, this becomes a fund for which this can be used."

City Mayor Schrage estimated that the upkeep would be more ongoing, instead of the "all at once" as concerned.

Clark Renfro said that the resurfacing would need to be done every 7-10 years, at a cost of $5,000 per court. That would be $60,000 for the initial 12 courts being proposed.

The concept of scheduling priority then came up, with Commissioner Dr Davis beginning the topic.

"The City will be giving up $864,000. We're giving up our neighborhood tennis courts. I'm interested in getting a bottom floor for the percentage of time that would be available for open play just for average citizens."

"Not getting rid of neighborhood courts," Renfro corrected. "Sunset courts will go away. Jerry Ivey will be retained. Oakdale courts will not be there. The intention of STA is that these are free courts, depending on the city's intention. I'm going to refer to Mike on the scheduling, though."

"These are public courts, open public use it the main priority, outside of tournament play and school functions," Mike Schrage confirmed.

Court security is being discussed, in the matter of locking the courts at a certain time of night, to keep the courts safe while still operational within set hours.

Mayor Hodges then brought up the pool house. This building was once part of the Salina Municipal Pool before Kenwood Cove Aquatic Park was established.

"I'm a huge fan of the architecture of that pool house. We've had some dealings with Baseball Enterprises in terms of not getting exactly what we thought we were, in the full scope of work."

Renfro assured her that SNG is coordinating everything possible to keep the integrity of the pool house, as a primary objective.

It was at this point that the mic was given to the public.

Karody Robbins stepped up first. Keep in mind that she is the citizen who started the petition, in an effort to save the Tri-Rivers Stadium. Part of the discussion amongst commissioners included the demolition of the Stadium to make way for the new tennis complex.

"My family has been in Saline county for over 140 years, we are part of the agricultural portion in Salina," Robbins began. "We are disappointed that what we value is being disposed of. There have been a lot of misrepresentations on this project. The facility was misrepresented to the commission. Jason Bell stood and said it's not being used used just 4 days a year. It's also been mismanaged. The National Jr High Rodeo would have brought 15,000 for 7 full days, and they were told no thanks. The rodeo generates far more of an economic impact than a sport that doesn't generate ticket sales."

Robbins went on, "The citizens survey found that citizens did not rank the need for upgraded tennis courts very high. I'm not arguing against tennis, but the public wasn't asked about the Stadium in any of this."

"Salina spends spends half per capita on maintenance. Jerry Ivey Park Pond is only 25 years old. We just built it and we aren't maintaining it. What is this new complex going to look like in 25 years?"

Robbins also pointed out that $500,000 of this project will come from USD 305, which was not previously mentioned. According to Karody, Shcrage's total added up to over $1 million.

It is the belief of Robbins, that Saline County couldn't afford more than 1.6 million in renovations proposed by the City.

Karody's further resesrch found former City Manager Jason Gage on video in 2018 saying that the stadium would be demolished.

Jason Bell asked the Commission to see this from another perspective.

"Let's say that we had rodeo arenas at every school and several parks in Salina, and only one tennis court. What if you wanted to tear down the one tennis court, to build another rodeo arena? You're taking away a venue that means a lot to a lot of people. Mayor Hodges, you said you like the architecture of the pool hall. Almost 6,000 people say they love the architecture of that stadium. Renovate the tennis courts we have, and leave the stadium. If you let the right people manage it, it could bring money in. The people who ran it had no agriculture background. I'm begging you to at least postpone this vote, and talk to people who know what they're doing and can bring in monster trucks, cage fights, concerts, demo derbys and rodeo."

Commissioner Davis stated that the City does not manage the rodeo or its grounds. He wanted to know if this same energy was brought to the County, in standing up for what these people are so passionate about.

"They", without Bell being specific as to who that was meant to be, made excuses for not bringing events in. Not wanting to pay the overtime was one reason given.

Terri White brought up the historical value of the Tri-Rivers Stadium. As this freelance writer stated last week, the Stadium was built in the 1940's and used as a baseball stadium for 20 years before being used as rodeo grounds. It's even been said that Mickey Mantle stepped foot on the dirt.

Linda Lilly took the podium, also asking the Commission to postpone the vote. She asked for the opportunity to coexist.

Bill Longbine is concerned about budgeting for maintenance expenditures. He also questioned the need for 12 courts. Could STA make do with less courts and still let citizens keep the Stadium?

Mayor Hodges confirmed the need for 12 courts. If this complex is going to be a destination for tennis tournaments, there are a certain number of courts that are needed to be included, in order to fit that bill. 12 courts is the minimum amount needed to qualify as a tournament destination.

We cannot forget the squabbling that went on between the City and County in their recent respective meetings. As Chad Farber put it, it was a blame game. The one thing that was heard from the County was "their inability to fulfill the lease because the city was requiring a certain amount of maintenance to be done on the stadium. The question that arises, is what was the driving force from the city to put 1.3 into tennis, instead of using that money on the stadium and revamping what we already had?

City Manager Mike Schrage made a statement. "We looked at what we had as a city expense for tennis. We didn't look at rodeo because that is a county maintained facility. The city is coming out far ahead going with tennis and building new courts, as opposed to renovating the courts that we already have."

Commissioner Hoppock stepped in. "To say that we required a certain amount of dollars to upgrade the stadium is wrong. It was a $0 dollar lease we had with the County. What we did is ask them to upgrade it, to fix everything up, because the River project is coming and we have TPEC right beside it. The County wasn't interested in the rodeo grounds. It's a county fair, the city doesn't deal with those programs."

After 2 hours of discussion, all passion the to save Tri-Rivers Stadium sat on the other side of the Commissioners table.

However, Commissioner Dr Trent Davis offered a few words of encouragement.

"Where does the footprint of the actual tennis facility lie in respect to where the stadium is?"

Clark Renfro confirmed, "The 12 courts we need must sit at an angle according to national tennis regulations, because of the sun. They're laid out in this configuration, for this reason. We looked at lots of alternatives and the ability not to be landlocked afforded us this site."

Commissioner Davis then asked how much it would cost to move the stadium, even if it was just 100 yards to the East.

Jason Bell said that the posts could be moved. He ventured that a lot of volunteers would be available for this.

Mike Schrage reminded the Commission that the Fair Board has made arrangements for the bleachers, and that they could take the rest.

Bell said that if the Fair Board had a place to move the arena, that they probably would consider it, as the Rodeo is a huge money maker for the fair, quite possibly keeping the fair afloat on its on.

Trent Davis confessed, "It took me awhile to be convinced of this tennis project. The tennis complex does have to be built the right way. I would like to investigate what sliding the rodeo arena to the east into what is now the dog park would look like. We've talked ourselves about expanding the paved parking. I don't want to address what could have been presented earlier, but I'm throwing out possibilities."

Schrage "The prior model has been county staff. If we're offering an opportunity, I'm not sure who we're offering it to."

Commissioner Davis asked for confirmation on whether the dog park is still vacant, in relation to the proposed tennis courts. We can assume that this is where, in his mind, he can visualize moving the stadium.

Clark Renfro then defended the current layout of the tennis complex. "The entire footprint was afforded to us for naming rights. We've looked at that whole area as ours in regards to our master plan. That's essentially why we're here today. With this setup, the city is going to have less courts to maintain, and I caution you if you're going to look at moving something, you're going to have to move it again if we have to build more courts in the future."

"This is a community resource that is obviously special to a lot of people. If there's an alternate location that can be considered, that's a conversation for another day," Mayor Hodges grabbed the reigns. "We can't step aside from what is on the agenda today. It is clearly a heritage that we need to celebrate, but I'd like to return the conversation to what we have in front of us today."

Before the commission voted on affording the funds to SNG and affirming the demolition of the Tri-Rivers Stadium, Commissioner Davis offered a ray of hope for supporters of the stadium and the rodeo enjoyment that it brings.

"If there are those who want to keep the rodeo tradition going, if it's something that there really is a deep desire to continue, just like the tennis alliance, you're going to have to be organized and come with a plan, so we can see if there are options that are feasible."

City Manager Schrage stepped in. "Mayor, I don't know if you want to cover that now, but if we are, I have a very pertinent question. As we articulate what we are willing to entertain, all the other examples of public private partnerships were activities and responsibilities that we had no doubt within our wheelhouse of being responsible for. If we're going to articulate the willingness to go there, I really need some direction, is that on the assumption that the county reinitiates that conversation, or we going to get into the rodeo business?"

Commissioner Davis said, "I'm not saying tonight. We would not do anything ourselves. If there is that will for a group to create itself, and look at possibilities and plans and bring something to us. If there are those feel strongly about this, keep looking at your options."

Schrage stated, "I would like to respectfully request, if staff is expected to enter into a negotiation it's with an identified entity that has the authority to do so."

"That's what I meant," Commissioner Davis defended. "Just like the tennis and baseball group created themselves."

"I think we're left with a significant amount of confusion," Schrage contended, "that is going to wind up, quite frankly, in my lap, with citizens coming to me and wanting me to tell them how to proceed on this direction..."

Once again, Mayor Hodges took the reigns. "I would suggest that we look at this tonight (as she points to her agenda), and that if you're looking for direction in the days or months ahead that you schedule a discussion item or study session on the matter."

Moments later, the City Commission passed the motion 5-0, to approve the funds with SNG in the amount of $864,900, which included $84,000 in demolition of Tri-Rivers.

Wrapping up this portion of the meeting that took over 2 hours, anyone that listened is left wondering what role the Smoky Hill River Project has in this issue. Also, do the remaining fair grounds fit into the grand scheme of what the City of Salina has planned for the River Project? Without rodeo grounds, what will this mean for the County Fair? Did the County not want to upgrade the facilities, as requested by the city? Why not? Is the County currently looking at alternative locations for the fair?

The Salina City Commission will not meet until September 13. The 2 week break includes a 5th Monday, which Commissioners do not meet on, and the Labor Day Holiday.