1. LakersCity of Kalispell
Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell. Montana 59903-1997 - Telephone (406)',58-7700 Fax (406)758-7758
REPORT TO: Mayor Pam Kennedy and Kalispell City Council
FROM: Michael Baker, Director of Parks & Recreation
SUBJECT: Kalispell Lakers Baseball Group
MEETING DATE: May 5, 2004
BACK GROUND: On March 15th, 2004, I received a copy of a letter from the Kalispell
Lakers Baseball group, requesting financial assistance in much
needed improvements to the athletic fields at Begg Park.
As the letter goes on to explain this is the only request for direct
funds since the actual construction of the Laker Field back in 1988. I
followed up the Lakers request with a memo looking for funding
from the Airport Tax Increment Budget.
Following a brief council discussion at a previous workshop the role
of the Kalispell Lakers as a contributing partner was questioned.
Since then the Lakers organization has supplied documentation on
their participation and financial commitment to the facilities at Begg
Park. The past contributions as shown are in excess of $46,000.
RECOMMENDATION: With the cash commitment of $1,500 for present improvements I
would recommend the council support the efforts of Lakers baseball
and look to assisting the organization in their efforts to improve the
facilities.
All improvements are reverted to ownership by the City of Kalispell
as per our lease agreement with the Lakers organization.
It has been a positive experience working with the group of dedicated
parents and volunteers of the Lakers organization. I sincerely believe
they have performed as a contributing partner with the city in
maintaining and operating the baseball facility.
FISCAL EFFECTS:
ALTERNATIVES:
Respectfully submitted,
I am enclosing past and current information regarding this issue.
Thank you for your consideration and comments.
$12,000 in City contributions towards improvement costs of
$13,500.
None at this time.
�y
4ichael `Baker, Director of Parks
Chris Kukulski, City Manager
Report Compiled May 5, 2004
Attachments - Airport Tax Increment Budget Request memo
Kalispell Lakers Letter, dated March 15, 2004
Kalispell Legion Baseball Field Maintenance History
Kalispell Lakers
Mike McFarland
P.O. Box 2356
Kalispell, Mt. 59903
March 15, 2004
Mayor, Council and City Manager
City of Kalispell
Kalispell, Mt. 59901
Dear Mayor, Council and City Manager,
For many years Laker players, their families and many community businesses
have subsidized the Kalispell Lakers baseball organization. Now, with the Kalispell Babe
Ruth League moving to the new Kids Sport complex we find ourselves with a great
opportunity to expand our program even further by utilizing to the fullest the adjoining
Archie Roe Baseball field. We will now be able to offer more teams a chance to visit the
beautiful Flathead Valley and give them a chance to experience for themselves the
wonderful community that we have come to know. Because we are able to use this
additional field, we can now have larger tournaments and still complete these
tournaments over a three or four day weekend. The Kalispell Lakers will certainly benefit
monetarily by having more teams paying entry fees as well as concessions, souvenirs,
gate admissions etc. However, it is also apparent that many businesses in Kalispell will
benefit as well. As many as ten teams participating in several annual tournaments each
with 15 or more players, 2 or more coaches, and families to support those teams equals
additional revenue for motels, restaurants, theaters and recreation in our area.
Our problem is this. While Archie Roe Field was certainly more than adequate for
younger players, it is evident that some upgrading is going to be needed to fill the
necessary requirements for High School age play. Some of these updates are directed
towards playability while others are related to safety concerns for players and fans alike.
Due to the shorter outfields, we see a need for a higher outfield fence from the right field
foul line to center field. This would not only make the distance for a home run
comparable to other High School fields, it would be a safer environment for those who
are setting in the adjacent bleachers watching the game on the other field. We need to do
some infield work. Specifically, additional fill material and leveling. The existing
backstop needs to be pushed back another 10 feet and the dugouts need to be built to
heights where High School age players will fit in them_
While the costs for these improvements are not exorbitant, they are still
substantial enough that our program would be hard pressed to tackle them on their own.
The majority of our funds are raised through season ticket sales; our spring golf
tournament, N.W. Montana fair parking, the Laker auction and concessions. These funds
are just enough to take care of our annual expenses and operating costs for what is equal
to a small business. Travel expense, umpire costs, equipment and coaching salaries
require a substantial budget_ We would hope that you would consider partnering with the
Kalispell Lakers in funding these improvements. Our Board of Directors feels that we
could contribute $1,500.00 toward these expenses. We have received bids for these
necessary changes and they seem to be in line with recent work done on the Kids Sports
Complex.
There is certainly a priority list involved when we make these requests. The
outfield fence and the infield work are 91 and 42 due to safety and playability reasons.
The remaining backstop and dugout work can be done at a later date if necessary but at
the same time, we would like to get as much out of the way as soon as possible so as to
be ready for Tournament play this season.
To my knowledge, the Kalispell Lakers have never asked for direct funds from
the council before and we certainly appreciate the work that is already being done by
providing maintenance and care of our existing field. Now, we see an opportunity to
further enhance our program while at the same time offering even more summer activities
for the youth of Kalispell. We ask that while you consider our proposal you keep in mind
the number of kids and citizens that may benefit from greater tournament play in our
rapidly growing community.
We thank you for your consideration and we will be happy to answer any
questions that may come up.
Sincerely,
Mike McFarland
Head Coach
Kalispell Lakers American Legion Baseball
Expected Costs
Outfield fence
$3,100.00
infield fill material
4,800.00
Backstop changes
1,600.00
Dugout repairs
4,000.00
total costs $13,500.00
cc: Mike Baker
Kalispell Parks and Rec.
35 First Ave. East
Kalispell, Montana 59901
�h
City of Kalispell
Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997 - Telephone (406)758-7700 Fax (406)758-7758
TO: Chris Kukulski, City Manager
Amy Robertson, Finance Director
Susan Moyer, Director, Planning & Economic Development
FROM: Michael Baker, Director -
Parks & Recreation
DATE: March 17, 2004
RE: Airport Tax Increment Budget Request
Amy and Susan,
The following is a request for Airport Tax Increment funding for FY year 04/05, for
improvements to Begg Park and Lions Park. Park development in this district continues
to be very important due to the growth we are experiencing in the immediate proximity
and the limited developed parks and recreation facilities in this area.
Last fiscal year we requested funds for development at Begg Park to include an outdoor
hard surface basketball court and perimeter walking trail. This budget item was cut and
we are once again requesting this funding and funding for improvements to the Begg
Park Archie Roe complex. The Kalispell Lakers are asking the city to partner with them
to make the improvements to the Archie Roe complex, per the enclosed letter. A joint
partnership with the Kalispell Lakers would benefit the Kalispell Lakers, the City of
Kalispell and the community as a whole.
We are expecting the reconstruction of Hwy. 93 happening in the next fiscal budget year.
It will be the responsibility of the city to pick up the irrigation upgrades due to the
construction of the access road to 3rd Ave East that will bisect the park.
Expected Costs
Begg Park — projects cut from FY 03/04 budget: $20,000
Begg Park/Archie Roe Improvements: $13,500
Lions Park Irrigation: $ 6,500
Kalispell Lakers contribution: 1,500
TOTAL FY 04/50 REQUEST: $41,500
If further explanation or information is needed, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and consideration for this program.
Enc: Kalispell Lakers letter
Kalispell Legion Baseball
Field Maintenance History
Year
Amount
Leasehold Improvements to 1999
18,267
Field Maintenance
1999
2,002
Field Maintenance
2000
526
Batting Cage Screens
2000
1,300
Batting Cage Improvements
2000
2,188
Field Maintenance
2001
490
Field Maintenance
2002
505
Speaker System
2002
489
Purchased Bus
2002
4,400
Granstand Roof
2002
14,912
Field Maintenance
2003
1,192
Field Maintenance to Date
2004
358
Total $46,629
Does not include in -kind contributions for Griffin Park improvements