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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 12 Request for Room Tax Funds to Support the Initial Evaluation of an Indoor Track Facility in Springfield AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 4/2/2018 Meeting Type: Regular Meeting Staff Contact/Dept.: Gino Grimaldi/CMO Staff Phone No: 541.726.3700 Estimated Time: 10 Minutes S P R I N G F I E L D C I T Y C O U N C I L Council Goals: Encourage Economic Development and Revitalization through Community Partnerships ITEM TITLE: REQUEST FOR ROOM TAX FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE INITIAL EVALUATION OF AN INDOOR TRACK FACILITY IN SPRINGFIELD. ACTION REQUESTED: Approve/Not Approve a motion authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Travel Lane County for the purpose of providing $130,000 to be used for the evaluation and conceptual design of an indoor track facility in Springfield. ISSUE STATEMENT: The need for an indoor track facility that would serve as a venue for collegiate, high school and middle school events has been a topic of discussion in the track community for a number of years. Such a facility could also serve as a venue for other sporting events when it is not in use as a track facility in addition to providing space for a variety of meetings and other non-sports related events. Travel Lane County is requesting $130,000 in Room Tax Funds to assist with an initial evaluation and conceptual design of an indoor track facility. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment 1: Letter from Travel Lane County DISCUSSION/ FINANCIAL IMPACT: An indoor track facility would bring visitors to Springfield and the metropolitan area. The use of Room Tax Funds for this project would be an appropriate use of those funds. Funds are available in the Room Tax Fund. Should the City Council grant the request, a contract between the City of Springfield and Travel Lane County would be established creating a payment mechanism and scope of the work to be performed. EUGENE, CASCADES & COAST SPORTS TRAVEL LANE COUNTY 754 Olive St  PO Box 10286  Eugene OR 97440  541.484.5307  EugeneCascadesCoastSports.org  EugeneCascadesCoast.org March 29, 2018 Gino Grimaldi, City Manager City of Springfield 225 Fifth Street Springfield, OR 97477 Dear Gino, Travel Lane County is honored to serve with a Springfield based community group interested in scoping an indoor hydraulic track facility, which would also provide multi-court sports tournament space and general assembly space when the track is lowered flat. Travel Lane County is willing to serve as the contractor to secure professional services to define such a project for Springfield. An indoor track facility would generate sports tourism, serve residents, and ensure the long legacy of TrackTown USA is tangibly extended to a home in Springfield, honoring the contributions of Springfield residents to track and field performance and innovation over many, many years. Travel Lane County can commit to administering a not-to-exceed contract in the amount of funds that the City of Springfield would like to make available for this purpose. We can provide financial transparency, regular reports, and/or other control mechanisms as required. Thank you for the opportunity to be of service in building an even stronger future for the tourism economy of Springfield. Sincerely, Kari Westlund President & CEO Attachment 1