Sugar Land’s minor league baseball stadium set to open

To bring thousands of visitors

Matt Dietrichson, Apr 23, 12.

Sugar Land’s highly anticipated $37 million minor league baseball stadium will be opening soon, according to Guidry News:

Construction at Constellation Field is nearly complete. With opening day on April 26 quickly approaching, Sugar Land is preparing to turn over the stadium keys to Opening Day Partners and the Sugar Land Skeeters.

The $37 million minor league baseball stadium – completed on time and on budget – was funded with a portion of sales tax revenues that may only be used for economic development purposes. No general fund tax dollars will be spent on the stadium.

A cost-benefit analysis performed by Conventions, Sports & Leisure International conservatively estimates the project will generate annual economic activity of approximately $7.7 million or a net return of $169 million over 30 years on the City’s investment.

The stadium has the potential of attracting more than 300,000 visitors per year. This will benefit hotels, restaurants and other retail establishments, keeping local entertainment expenditures (sales tax and Hotel Occupancy Tax revenues) within Sugar Land and Fort Bend County.

“We are excited at the tremendous level of enthusiasm and interest that professional minor league baseball continues to receive in Sugar Land,” said Mayor James Thompson. “As I often say, a city’s work is never finished. It must keep redefining itself. This is our time.
We’ve done something that will impact future generations and make Sugar Land an even better destination for fun and entertainment.”

In 2010, Sugar Land City Council approved lease and development agreements with Opening Day Partners, LLC to bring professional minor league baseball to Sugar Land. ODP—an experienced community-focused operator that emphasizes year-round community events and activities at their stadiums—will own and operate the Sugar Land Skeeters.

The 25-year stadium lease with ODP includes the following terms:
- ODP will operate the stadium and offsite parking for all events.
- Permitted stadium uses will include baseball games, conventions, concerts, movies, meetings, festivals and fundraising galas.
- ODP will retain all revenues from stadium activities.
- The City will receive annual rent payments of $80,000 plus an additional participation rent.
- ODP will be responsible for stadium repairs and maintenance.

Constellation Field is the result of a public-private partnership that was more than 10 years in the making. The initial vision for minor league baseball was developed by citizens serving on the City’s Visioning Task Force. The group established a goal to enhance entertainment and family-oriented opportunities within Sugar Land.

“This is definitely an historic time for our City,” said Thompson.
“We’ve said repeatedly that the Sugar Land Skeeters will be a first-class operation.

“When you consider the affordable ticket prices of minor league baseball, the quality product we have put on the field and the wholesome family atmosphere, it’s safe to say there’s no better deal in
town.”