[mattpoulsen]

I was wondering if anyone had the most recent status of the proposed Papillion baseball stadium.

This is something I'd really like to see happen. Any thoughts?

[Go Ne]

Actually, its still a decision to place it in Papillion, La Vista or Bellevue, one site in each city, and I think they announce the site Wednesday but I'm not sure.

[tpabes]

Actually an article in the World-Herald this morning about it.
Omaha.com Metro/Region Section

[Omaha Rocks]

Originally Posted by mattpoulsen

I was wondering if anyone had the most recent status of the proposed Papillion baseball stadium.

This is something I'd really like to see happen. Any thoughts?

Personally, I think it's stupid. And the cynical part of me hopes it all falls flat - to the expensive demise of both the Omaha Royals and those who are funding the new ball park.

Part of the reason the Royals draw mediocre crowds is because they're a perpetually mediocre team. Nothing interesting, nothing exciting, nothing worth coming out for.

Maybe after the Royals fold and/or leave Omaha, we can get a baseball team that'll actually be worth going to watch.

[Dave1215]

As mentioned, the Sarpy Ballpark will go to either Bellevue, LaVista, or Papillion... if not one of those three then my gut says it goes to Sugarland Texas.

The Sarpy County Commissioners had an executive session last night to review the three proposals that the individual developers are putting together.

The Sarpy County Commissioners have already advertised a special meeting for 3pm this Friday (5/29). As of this morning they have not published their agenda; however, when calling for the special session it was for the stated purpose of the ballfield decision.

They must make a decision by Monday on which of the three they select -or- they owe a ton of money to the Royals (unless they extend their agreement with the Royals)...

I won't argue if they should have stayed at Rosenblatt or gone downtown because those cards have been played... the last chance to stay in the metro was the Sarpy offer - so now we'll see what happens...

The Bellevue site is good for Bellevue in that its an in-fill project that might spark some life into that community. Bellevue wants development bad enough that they will probably do what ever it takes to win the deal, even if it doesn't make financial sense. I don't think Bellevue is a good site for a large number of reasons, but its a wild card because I think Bellevue will shoot themselves in the foot just to get it.

LaVista in my mind is best for the Royals. Right on I-80 so very high visibility from a branding perspective. Hotels already in place. From a county perspective I don't think its too good - development is already moving there so won't spur anything new - also, traffic won't be the best with congestion already existing at Cabella's entrance.

Papillion is intriguing. Royals have said alot of how they want to define the atmosphere and have a park setting. That site sits high and will overlook water both directions, can have lots of park with ties into the metro trail system. They can also define the mixed use development the exact way they want to it has a town center feel. A little riskier in that you'd be betting the development comes. Traffic would not be an issue as you could have about 5 natural places to divert it to.

Roayls and County want to help a beaten down kid get back on his feet - go to Bellevue
Royals want high visibility and County wants regional tourism draw - go to LaVista
Royals want to totally define their enviornment and County spur all new development - go to Papillion

Can't agree on any of these three then Royals go to Sugarland Texas.

Will be interesting to see what the County Board does Friday 3pm. If don't know Friday, then by end of the day on Monday it should be evident.

[mattpoulsen]

I actually tend to think that wins and losses aren't the issue.

To me AAA ball is simply about entertainment and family crowds. I just think a modern smaller and more entertaining venue would help a lot. I know my family would go once in a while if they were in Sarpy county. We won't go to see them in Rosenblatt. The place is too large and as a result has no energy at all.

I won't debate the funding issues. I think there are good arguments either way. But just from a feasibility point-of-view I think a smaller ball park in a more suburban area would be more successful. A case in point is the ball park in Lincoln.

Winning obviously helps but I think AAA ball is successful because of the marketing and the atmosphere.

[Dave1215]

Originally Posted by mattpoulsen

I actually tend to think that wins and losses aren't the issue.

To me AAA ball is simply about entertainment and family crowds. I just think a modern smaller and more entertaining venue would help a lot. I know my family would go once in a while if they were in Sarpy county. We won't go to see them in Rosenblatt. The place is too large and as a result has no energy at all.

I won't debate the funding issues. I think there are good arguments either way. But just from a feasibility point-of-view I think a smaller ball park in a more suburban area would be more successful. A case in point is the ball park in Lincoln.

Winning obviously helps but I think AAA ball is successful because of the marketing and the atmosphere.

Couldn't agree more... I go to more games at Haymarket than I do at Rosenblatt... atmosphere is a big part - love that stadium.

[Omaha Rocks]

Originally Posted by Dave1215

Couldn't agree more... I go to more games at Haymarket than I do at Rosenblatt... atmosphere is a big part - love that stadium.

When my family lived in Minnesota (for nearly 20 years), there was a period of time when the Saint Paul Saints were drawing larger crowds than the Minnesota Twins.

Part of it was that the Twins sucked at that time, and part of it was the MLBA strike that had most people pretty POd.

But a large part of it was the "program" the Saints put on. It wasn't just a baseball game where overpaid professional Prima Donnas sauntered around expecting to be worshiped. It was a family-friendly atmosphere with lots of cool and fun stuff happening at every game. It was obvious that they wanted you there. The stadium was part of the equation, but it was the atmosphere that was intentionally created by the Saints organization.

If the Royals did that in Omaha, they'd draw bigger crowds - regardless of where they play their games.

[billiefan2000]

they should put the new stadium in Papillion or Lavista


maybe it would force MAT bus to have a regular bus route for the Lavista and Papillion areas

[Dave1215]

Originally Posted by Dave1215

The Sarpy County Commissioners have already advertised a special meeting for 3pm this Friday (5/29). As of this morning they have not published their agenda; however, when calling for the special session it was for the stated purpose of the ballfield decision.

Well, never miind. while they do have a meeting tomorrow (5/29), they just published the agenda... its immediately going into Executive Session, so my guess is no public information will probably be known until Monday (original contract deadline of picking a site).