The El Dorado-Union County Recreation Complex Commission is working to refine a funding proposal to complete the second phase of an ongoing renovation and expansion project for the complex on Champagnolle Road.
The group appeared before the El Dorado Works Board on Jan. 31 with a funding request that included a total of $4.4 million in cost estimates to build a new baseball field to accommodate older teens and adults, including college teams, ($2.5 million); parking lot improvements ($870,000); and a recreational trail surrounding the complex ($200,000).
The EWB administers the city's one-cent sales tax that is earmarked for economic development, municipal infrastructure and quality-of-life projects.
Nearly $3 million was allocated from the tax to cover the first phase of the two-part master plan to expand and renovate the complex.
Work on phase one got underway in late 2019.
The first phase entails two new soccer fields; two new baseball and softball fields and the completion of two existing baseball and softball fields -- all on the south end of the complex; and the installation of turf, lighting and fencing on four older fields on the north end of the facility.
The El Dorado Advertising and Promotion Commission kicked in an additional $271,800 to help complete the soccer fields after complex commissioners learned there was a budget shortfall for phase one due to unexpected engineering costs.
Work is still underway to ready two used kiosks that were donated by Murphy USA to serve as concession stands for the south fields.
An existing concession stand serves the north end of the complex.
The city of El Dorado and Union County -- each of whom contributes a minimum of $100,000 to the complex's $200,000-plus the annual operating budget -- coordinated the delivery and installation of the kiosks in 2022 at a combined cost of just over $100,000.
Last year, an additional $70,000 came from the complex budget to complete electrical and transformer work, some of which was unanticipated, and in February, the EUCRCC approved another $45,000 to complete plumbing installation.
Some remaining punch-list, maintenance items include installing a sliding glass window; replacing the kiosks' flat, membrane roofs with pavilion roofing to help guard against water infiltration and provide shade and coverage from the elements; and laying concrete around the kiosks to help prevent customers from having to stand on muddy grounds during inclement weather.
The EUCRCC is also considering options for additional restrooms at the complex -- the remaining component of phase one.
Greg Harrison, commission chairman, previously reported that city officials have suggested adding more stalls to men and women's restrooms that are adjacent to the Dumas Pavilion.
With phase one of the master plan largely complete, the EUCRCC is looking ahead to phase two.
To proceed with a goal of boosting revenue at complex and making it the premier sports facility in South Arkansas, the group returned to the EWB with a funding request on Jan. 31.
However, the EWB took no action on the request and asked the EUCRCC for additional details, including potential cost-saving measures.
Growth
Complex commissioners discussed the matter during regular meetings in February and March and they will reconvene Friday to continue talks.
With the work that has been done so far on the master plan, commissioners and complex manager, the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado, have said that activity at the complex has significantly increased over the past three years.
As manager of the complex since 2017, the BGCE is tasked with booking more tournaments at the facility and the club has been working diligently to do so, particularly, with the expansion of the facility.
Tournament directors have also bought into the plan and with the SouthArk's baseball and softball teams now using the complex for practice and games, the situation has created a dilemma, which, complex commissioners have said, is a good problem.
Commissioners previously reported that space has gotten tight for practices and scrimmages at the complex, with several teams vying for Field 4, the School Boy Rowe field.
The field is used by SouthArk and Harrison said other teams, including a baseball team made up of junior-high school-age players, West Side Christian School, the American Legion and at times during inclement weather, the El Dorado High School baseball team, all want to use the School Boy Rowe field for practice.
The situation signifies the expansion, growth and usage of the complex and demonstrates the need for more fields and amenities at the facility, commissioners have said.
The revenue-expenditure gap has also tightened for the complex -- a phenomenon that is due, in part, to an increase in revenue for concessions.
Within the past five years, revenue at the complex has nearly tripled from the previous yearly average of $12,000 - $14,000.
Income for the complex also comes from field, pavilion, RV site and banner/sign rentals.
In a separate contract with the complex, the BGCE serves as the facility's concessionaire and remits 15% of gross revenue that is collected at the concession stand to the complex.
There has been an increase in concession stand proceeds since the BGCE was named the concessionaire in 2019.
The club also contracts with the city of El Dorado to manage the complex at $40,000 per year.
In another effort to increase revenue, the complex commission has also worked with the Diamond Agency to boost banner/sign rentals within the past two years.
Promote tourism
While discussing the matter earlier this month, complex commissioners acknowledged that the facility is not a money-maker.
However, the complex is one of the biggest draws in El Dorado and Union County, El Dorado City Council Member David Hurst said.
"We're spending $400,000 a year on the (MAD Playscape) and that doesn't make any money," Hurst said, referring to a contract for services the city has with MAD to operate the playscape, which includes a splash pad.
Commissioners also pointed out that the city has worked over the past decade to close the income-expenditure gap at Lions Club Municipal Golf Course, which is also not intended to be an income-producing enterprise, city officials have said.
Several changes that have been implemented at Lions Club -- including a new manager and management structure and efforts to improve the facility, such as the purchase of new equipment to maintain the grounds, a new pro shop and golf cart barn -- have led to an increase in play and revenue and have helped to raise the reputation and profile of the golf course.
Harrison explained that EWB members asked if there are opportunities for cost-savings for phase two of the expansion/renovation project in the form of a possible donation of another kiosk from MUSA.
They also requested numbers for potential savings on parking lot improvements, which Union County has pledged to perform after other work in phase two of the master plan has been completed.
For years, the poor condition of the parking lot and traffic congestion at the complex have been two of the primary complaints from visitors to the facility.
Phase two calls for 600 additional parking spaces and a land easement for PotlatchDeltic, who donated nearly nine acres just south of the complex to build the new baseball field and for further expansion of the complex in the future.
As a part of the deal, Potlatch requested the easement to access other property it owns in the area.
El Dorado City Council Member and complex Commissioner Frank Hash recommended that the EUCRCC promote how the complex impacts tourism in El Dorado.
The facility draws tens of thousands of visitors each year, many of them who are families from out of town who travel with young players, stay overnight in local hotels during tournaments and spend money in restaurants and with other retailers.
Commissioners have said play at the complex generates revenue that boosts the local economy.
"Apparently, the need has grown with the expansion out there with actual teams and I don't know if that's bantered here as it should," said Hash.
"I don't think we're playing up the tourism factor and I think the next time we present (to the EWB), I think the climate is OK for us to talk about tourism," he added.
Referring to the Arkansas Governor's Conference on Tourism, which was held in El Dorado Feb. 26 - 28, Hash said "everyone is talking about tourism."
Hash served two terms as mayor of El Dorado from 2011 to 2018 and Harrison said that during his mayoral terms, Hash assisted the EUCRCC in securing funding to help improve the complex.
Hash encouraged commissioners to draft a business plan to submit to the EWB for phase one and he worked with the commission to apply for grants from and make presentations to the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
Harrison said tourism is the second largest industry in Arkansas behind agriculture.
Additionally, youth, amateur and travel sports have created an industry that generates billions of dollars in the country each year, he said.
Harrison said he disagrees with talk among city officials that events at the complex do not move the needle on local lodging taxes, which are collected by the advertising and promotion commission.
The A&P commission draws its revenue from a 3% lodging tax.
Commissioner Chris Nale said the next presentation to the EWB needs "to be hit from every factor", adding that the number of out-of-town teams, particularly from South and Central Arkansas and North Louisiana, has increased at the complex within the past three years.
Harrison said county Judge Mike Loftin was working on the numbers for the parking lot project and commissioners have reached out to MUSA about the request from the EWB.
The EUCRCC is expected to hear an update on the items during its next regular meeting at noon Friday in the Council Chamber of City Hall.