Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/136775
Sarasota News Leader June 14, 2013 Page 31 where the games were played, as the teams She also noted that if new facilities are constructed, the county staff has to figure out might have multiple events in a single day. how to pay to maintain them. "The hotel conversation … I strongly object to," Robinson replied. Because North Port "This discussion, to me, is kind of a 'no-brainhas no hotels, she said, it would be eliminat- er' — that we invest in things that have a reed as a site for future athletic fields, based on turn on investment," Barbetta stressed. Hines' contention. Moreover, he pointed out, if the county generBarbetta noted, "The demand creates the need for the hotels." The locations of existing hotels and motels should have no bearing on where new fields are placed, he said. ated even more Tourist Development Tax revenue through new facilities, that would mean it could build even more athletic fields and other sports infrastructure. "Tourist development income per penny increased all over the state of Florida" over the past year, Patterson responded. Though sports venues were a factor in that, she said, "I don't think you'll find that the whole increase or even possibly the majority of the increase is As for Barbetta's BMX proposal, Patterson just dependent on the venues." said, "I recall the last time John McCarthy Besides, Patterson said, the county already [the county's now-retired Parks and Recre- had invested about $23 million in renovaation Department manager] came to us and tions to Ed Smith Stadium, where the Baltisaid, 'We need $300,000.' Then we could get more Orioles hold Spring Training games, and a great tournament, and somehow it didn't about $20 million in Nathan Benderson Park, which is attracting international attention in work." its effort to win the 2017 World Rowing ChamWhen county staff subsequently met with pionships bid. BMX representatives, she added, the latter "dreamed up this ideal BMX thing, and sud- Patterson added of Benderson Park, "If push comes to shove and the money isn't there for denly we needed $1.6 [million]." the last [structures in the planned complex], Patterson pointed out, "There's just not somehow we're going to figure … out [how to enough money to fund every good thing that pay for them]." there's a constituency behind." Finally, Patterson said, "It's not that I don't Referring to building new athletic facilities, buy into Commissioner Barbetta's theory." Patterson added, "I guess my feeling is I'd However, she said, she would spend money love to have the money to do it, but it really on new athletic fields before she would apneeds to be evaluated against some of these prove putting funds toward the BMX facility renovations. % other needs." "To me, sports fields are about serving the kids and not so much about the tournaments, and there is a shortage of fields," Patterson added. "There's been a shortage of soccer fields in North County forever."