The Sports Complex

Perhaps we can discuss it here without hijacking a politics thread.

The sports complex would be paid for with a sales tax initiative. Like the swimming pool and the library, our friends in neighboring counties would be helping us pay for it. So would the people who come from miles away to play in tournaments.

It would cost you an extra 25¢ on $100.

The economic benefit to the community would be huge if we were able to host major soccer tournaments, or to even have our club teams play home games. The tournament last weekend in Leavenworth hosted teams from as far away as Hays and St. Louis. Hotels were filled to capacity in Leavenworth, Lansing and Bonner Springs. That's "bed tax" money. They also ate in restaurants and visited shopping centers. That's tax money and jobs for the local economy.

By the way, the sports complex is a joint effort by Fort Hays State, the Hays Rec Commission and the Hays Soccer Club. Between the latter two, that's several hundred kids in the community who would benefit on an ongoing basis. Adding soccer at FHSU would get some outstanding Western Kansas kids to consider FHSU rather than Washburn or Emporia State, which already have soccer programs. Those students spend an awful lot of money in this community.

So even if you're one of the grumpy old people who like to complain about anything that doesn't directly benefit you, it will indirectly benefit you by adding money to the local economy that would otherwise come from higher taxes on YOU.

Between the 1300 Adult softball players and the hundreds if not thosands of kids that play HRC events as well as the hundreds of traveling team kids. This will benifit the community greatly. This is a step in the right direction. Go Hays !!!!

So what's wrong with the facilities that we already have? They are bought and paid for.

The facilities that currently exist could not host major tournaments that would bring people to town to stimulate the economy. (If I'm understanding this all correctly.)

Go sports Complex!!!
More reason for our kids to get off their butts and play something!!!

fescue wrote:

So what's wrong with the facilities that we already have? They are bought and paid for.

dz724 wrote:

The facilities that currently exist could not host major tournaments that would bring people to town to stimulate the economy. (If I'm understanding this all correctly.)

Absolutely correct. Hosting a tournament at Pratt-Optimist would be like trying to have the Chiefs-Broncos game at Lewis Field. Teams wouldn't come, and those that did, it would be the only time. If you've never been to the soccer complex that opened in Salina a couple of years ago, you should go by and compare it to our current facilities before deciding on this issue. If not there, go by the multi-sport complex at Anneberg Park in Manhattan, the Governor's Cup site at Hwy. 75 and Silver Lake Rd. in Topeka or the TRYSA complex in Emporia.

I'm not sure of this, but it would probably be a place for the high school to play home games, too. At present, Hays High plays home soccer games on the practice football field on the school's campus. The middle of the field is domed so much that you can't see below the knees of people standing on the other sideline. Great Bend High School, on the other hand, has a soccer-specific stadium that rivals the facilities at Hummer Sports Complex in Topeka.

The Other One wrote:

fescue wrote:

So what's wrong with the facilities that we already have? They are bought and paid for.

dz724 wrote:

The facilities that currently exist could not host major tournaments that would bring people to town to stimulate the economy. (If I'm understanding this all correctly.)

Absolutely correct. Hosting a tournament at Pratt-Optimist would be like trying to have the Chiefs-Broncos game at Lewis Field. Teams wouldn't come, and those that did, it would be the only time. If you've never been to the soccer complex that opened in Salina a couple of years ago, you should go by and compare it to our current facilities before deciding on this issue. If not there, go by the multi-sport complex at Anneberg Park in Manhattan, the Governor's Cup site at Hwy. 75 and Silver Lake Rd. in Topeka or the TRYSA complex in Emporia.

I'm not sure of this, but it would probably be a place for the high school to play home games, too. At present, Hays High plays home soccer games on the practice football field on the school's campus. The middle of the field is domed so much that you can't see below the knees of people standing on the other sideline. Great Bend High School, on the other hand, has a soccer-specific stadium that rivals the facilities at Hummer Sports Complex in Topeka.

why spend all this money for a non sport like soccer?

Then what happens to the facilities we have, that have been upgraded through the years?

what would the cost be to maintain this monster after it gets built ? Who pays for that ?
I say enough taxes already.

I though we had a water shortage ? ? ? When did the city and Fort Hays State find more or is it still, spent your money with us But Don't flush ? ? ?

is going on here anywho ?

slickjay12 wrote:

why spend all this money for a non sport like soccer?

I think you would be surprised how many kids play this nonsport. It is one of the fastest growing sports in America.

Justoo wrote:

Perhaps we can discuss it here without hijacking a politics thread.

The sports complex would be paid for with a sales tax initiative. Like the swimming pool and the library, our friends in neighboring counties would be helping us pay for it. So would the people who come from miles away to play in tournaments.

It would cost you an extra 25¢ on $100.

So why not put it to a countywide vote. I'm tired of Hays saying let our neighbors help pay for this. If the Citizens of Hays want this complex and the benifit it would bring Hays, let Hays pay for it. Not the rest of us!!!!

fescue wrote:

Then what happens to the facilities we have, that have been upgraded through the years?

Perhaps gathering places for mis-placed poly-carts.

Justoo wrote:

slickjay12 wrote:

why spend all this money for a non sport like soccer?

I think you would be surprised how many kids play this nonsport. It is one of the fastest growing sports in America.

Soccer is HUGE in Hays, if you sit and watch the kids at school, they play soccer, that the game they play, Not basketball, soccer!
Kids love it in Hays

Devils Advocate wrote:

Justoo wrote:

Perhaps we can discuss it here without hijacking a politics thread.

The sports complex would be paid for with a sales tax initiative. Like the swimming pool and the library, our friends in neighboring counties would be helping us pay for it. So would the people who come from miles away to play in tournaments.

It would cost you an extra 25¢ on $100.

So why not put it to a countywide vote. I'm tired of Hays saying let our neighbors help pay for this. If the Citizens of Hays want this complex and the benifit it would bring Hays, let Hays pay for it. Not the rest of us!!!!

I agree. Everytime a special interest group comes up with an idea in Hays, it always gets into the pocketbook of the out-of-town folks. If Hays wants it, let the Hays residents pay for. Raise property taxes to do it, not sales tax

Devils Advocate wrote:

So why not put it to a countywide vote. I'm tired of Hays saying let our neighbors help pay for this. If the Citizens of Hays want this complex and the benifit it would bring Hays, let Hays pay for it. Not the rest of us!!!!

Then perhaps they should impose a city income tax on people who work in Hays but don't live within the city limits.

Nobody is forcing you to purchase anything in Hays. If you don't want to help pay for it, shop in your own town or go to Salina. But be aware that you'll be paying sales tax there to pay for their soccer complex.

I'll shop in LaCrosse then maybe I won't be paying for anybodys soccer fields

And It will justify the HCVB.

hays has spent enough on there soccer fields. they put in new fescue.and hays is suppose to have a water shortage.come on people.taxes in the city of hays are bad enough already.hays always has to look big and will never be much of anything.eveything hays does is a joke.wages are low and everything is too hight to live here.thats why i moved out of that shit hole.im actually fom around there too.hays is just a big joke.

Devils Advocate wrote:

So why not put it to a countywide vote. I'm tired of Hays saying let our neighbors help pay for this. If the Citizens of Hays want this complex and the benifit it would bring Hays, let Hays pay for it. Not the rest of us!!!!

It will be on the November ballot. See you at the polls.

What ever happened to SELF SUPPORTING business. I for one am tired of paying taxes for every little thing that comes up. A person should be able to live and enjoy life with a minimum of burden. If I want to take a vacation, go to a game, eat at a restaurant, buy a new car......then those are things I do if and WHEN I can afford them. However...government imposed taxes are not optional. I have to pay them when I buy groceries for my family or pay for utilities that I need to heat my house.

If people want a sports complex, then fine, build it with the intention that the revenue from people attending will support it and repay the loan they took to build it. Common business sense. Don't sugar coat it by saying it will bring in thousands of people who'll be spending money in our community. I personally know several people that are barely able to even pay their bills now and are having financial difficulty. .25 cents/$100 doesn't sound like much, but that thinking got us to where we are now with our high taxes. Every year some other project at the city/state/national level gets approved adding to our high taxes we pay now.

The complex will be effluent water so don't worry about the water issues. Second it is important to look at the revenue that will be brought in to Hays. That will in the long run lower the tax burden on each of us as well as bring growth to the community. Finally the maintenance cost will be paid for by the sales tax issue for a minimum of 10 years probably far longer.

Once again as a business guy in hays how can you turn your nose at something that can potentially bring in millions of dollars to Hays a year. These complexes have made huge differences in many communities.

Finally we are behind all the communities in the state our size. Our kids disserve a great place to play. And did I mention it is bring money to town

it will never be effluint to water. the city wastes too much now.it will never lower your taxes.hays will never be anything but a buch of shows offs.all they do is waste money on shit they dont need.hays will never grow that much.people get run off from paying too high of taxes.i also like how some people compare the salina soccer field.hays is just a tiny town .salina has 4 times as many people as hays.hays kids benefit already on what they have to use.

Salina's population is roughly 47,000, not 80,000.

It will be effluent water. It will bring in money. Our kids do disserve something nice to grow up playing on.

The research is out there on how much money is brought into a community by a sports complex. Hays needs business. Our hotels need people to fill them and our restraunts need people to eat at them. Our stores also need people to shop in them. Money, Money, Money........

stargatefan wrote:

What ever happened to SELF SUPPORTING business. I for one am tired of paying taxes for every little thing that comes up. A person should be able to live and enjoy life with a minimum of burden. If I want to take a vacation, go to a game, eat at a restaurant, buy a new car......then those are things I do if and WHEN I can afford them. However...government imposed taxes are not optional. I have to pay them when I buy groceries for my family or pay for utilities that I need to heat my house.

If people want a sports complex, then fine, build it with the intention that the revenue from people attending will support it and repay the loan they took to build it. Common business sense. Don't sugar coat it by saying it will bring in thousands of people who'll be spending money in our community. I personally know several people that are barely able to even pay their bills now and are having financial difficulty. .25 cents/$100 doesn't sound like much, but that thinking got us to where we are now with our high taxes. Every year some other project at the city/state/national level gets approved adding to our high taxes we pay now.

I agree totally with it needing to be self supporting. Let those that attend the events pay for it, not those that happen to need to buy things like food and clothing. Our society has really gotten our priorities all fouled up. Too much emphasis is put on making this a great place to play...... what about creating jobs that will pay a liveable wage? Heck, how can people pay more in taxes.... Midwest Energry recently announced a rate increase of 15%, gas prices have skyrocketed, which in turn has driven up everything else. Where is all this money going to come from? The folks on fixed incomes can't pay higher food and utility costs and then pay more in taxes for a sports complex on top of that. If there is such great support for this complex, then get it built thru fundraisers and donations....not increased taxes.

can't wait til the thing is built and the first huge turny is held there and if he winds are in the right direction it would be like playing softball next to the waste water plant.......mmmmmmmmmm smll that money..........how many teams would return after spening a whole day at games with the feed lot smell ligering around woooohooo clap my hands and cheer for joy

How many millions of dollars are needed to maintain and repair the current buildings in the regent system. 165 Million dollars, sounds to me like.......click here

jrroberts wrote:

The complex will be effluent water so don't worry about the water issues. Second it is important to look at the revenue that will be brought in to Hays. That will in the long run lower the tax burden on each of us as well as bring growth to the community. Finally the maintenance cost will be paid for by the sales tax issue for a minimum of 10 years probably far longer.

Once again as a business guy in hays how can you turn your nose at something that can potentially bring in millions of dollars to Hays a year. These complexes have made huge differences in many communities.

Finally we are behind all the communities in the state our size. Our kids disserve a great place to play. And did I mention it is bring money to town

If remember correctly, the tax is supposed to retire in 4 years. I don't want to pay for the upkeep for 10 years or maybe longer. It sounds like another burden on the taxpayers who are already shouldering enough.

zeke wrote:

can't wait til the thing is built and the first huge turny is held there and if he winds are in the right direction it would be like playing softball next to the waste water plant.......mmmmmmmmmm smll that money..........how many teams would return after spening a whole day at games with the feed lot smell ligering around woooohooo clap my hads and cheer for joy

The neighboring facility can be just as offensive as the hog farm down the road. The restraunts will be packed after several hours of inhaling cow shit, I'm sure.

If it was such a great thing? why hasn;t the private sector jumped on this oppurtunity a long time ago.

fescue wrote:

jrroberts wrote:

The complex will be effluent water so don't worry about the water issues. Second it is important to look at the revenue that will be brought in to Hays. That will in the long run lower the tax burden on each of us as well as bring growth to the community. Finally the maintenance cost will be paid for by the sales tax issue for a minimum of 10 years probably far longer.

Once again as a business guy in hays how can you turn your nose at something that can potentially bring in millions of dollars to Hays a year. These complexes have made huge differences in many communities.

Finally we are behind all the communities in the state our size. Our kids disserve a great place to play. And did I mention it is bring money to town

If remember correctly, the tax is supposed to retire in 4 years. I don't want to pay for the upkeep for 10 years or maybe longer. It sounds like another burden on the taxpayers who are already shouldering enough.

Just as the Aquatic Park tax was supposed to retire after it was paid for. Just as the extra $3 we paid for the poly-cart program for how many years is still on your bill. Go City of Hays!!!!

Have I mentioned that I like the small town feel of Hays, I really don't want anymore people to come to this town, I'd rather they stay home.

im sorry but... lol

Just another ploy by Uncle Ed Hammond to cram his Beloved Soccer Team down the throats of the students who didn't want it in the first place. Also, notice how Ed is combining this with the City so they can put a tax is to pay for it so he doesn't have to build the FHSU Soccer Stadium out of his own budget? Just like all of the taxes the City of Hays puts in to bring millions of dollars into the City.

The Aquatic Park - was supposed to bring in all kinds of families into the community to bolster our Magnificent Shopping Centers? It has never made a profit since it opened and now they want to put a $30,000 dollar sign (ala the Visitors Center on Vine) so they can inform the public of the status of the pool's schedule, community events etc.

Lets look at the Home Depot tax abatements, all of the businesses that were promised by the developers that would flock to be with the place. IHOP and a Hotel are the only things out there ..... these guys get a boatload of tax breaks and in return we get bupkiss.

This is just another smoke and mirrors "Economic Miracle" for the Cultural Hub of western Kansas. How many times are the leaders of this town going to bite on these Bull$hit Pie in the Sky plans?

Lets bring all of these people into Hays and have their cars beat all to hell on the numerous streets that have been passed over for repair for the last 20 years so we can have all of these wonderful wasteful facilities that drain our pocketbooks more and more every year!!

luv2cook wrote:

nitromaxx98 wrote:

Just as the Aquatic Park tax was supposed to retire after it was paid for. Just as the extra $3 we paid for the poly-cart program for how many years is still on your bill. Go City of Hays!!!!

GOOD GOD WILL YOU LET THE FUCKING POLYCART ISSUE DIE ALREADY!

THE CARTS ARENT GOING AWAY!

NO MATTER HOW MANY DAMN TIMES YOU BITCH ABOUT IT!

ITS STUPID TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE DAILY!

GET


OVER

IT



ALREADY!

Allowing an issue to die only insures it the minds of politicians that it is ok to waste money on things that are un-necessary because because we will forget about it. America was founded by people who were tired of the status quo.

p.s. adhesive side down

luv2cook wrote:

nitromaxx98 wrote:

Just as the Aquatic Park tax was supposed to retire after it was paid for. Just as the extra $3 we paid for the poly-cart program for how many years is still on your bill. Go City of Hays!!!!

GOOD GOD WILL YOU LET THE FUCKING POLYCART ISSUE DIE ALREADY!

THE CARTS ARENT GOING AWAY!

NO MATTER HOW MANY DAMN TIMES YOU BITCH ABOUT IT!

ITS STUPID TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE DAILY!

GET


OVER

IT

ALREADY!

DITTO, couldn't have said it any better

Sheep

nitromaxx98 wrote:

Allowing an issue to die only insures it the minds of politicians that it is ok to waste money on things that are un-necessary because because we will forget about it. America was founded by people who were tired of the status quo.

p.s. adhesive side down

Hate to break it to you, there is NO ONE on this board who has the power to fix this issue for you and quite frankly I know Im not the only one who's tired of reading about it in damn near every other post you make. Its gets damn tiresome Nitro. You're like a fucking dog with a bone. Drop it, its not going away and your constant complaining wont fix this for you either.

And regarding your last sentence, Could you BE any more typically male? I mean why is it that men jump right on the "she's on the rag" bandwagon when a woman unloads on them? ( which FYI is no longer an issue for me nor has it been for 5 years now) We've all sat and listened to you whine for 9 fucking months now about the trash cans, walmart, the friggen shit out in the medians on vine AND the chamber of commerce building and I dont recall a single woman here saying you were on the male equivalent of the rag. Making a stupid ass comment like you did above just makes you appear petty and apparently lacking the adequate intelligence to come up with a thoughtful rebuttal.

Oh and in case you dont realise it, WE ALL GET THAT YOU TAKE UMBRAGE WITH THE ABOVE ISSUES IN THE CITY OF HAYS!

There is simply no need to add a daily reminder. We arent stupid OR forgetful here. TRUST ME, we wont forget those things.

As far as the soccer complex is concerned, it was an iffy proposition to begin with and with the recent downturns in the financial markets, it would be totally irresponsible for it to go forward at this time. I think the same holds true for the county's plan to purchase the Hadley facility. Spending a dime on these things now has to be stopped right away.

luv2cook wrote:

nitromaxx98 wrote:

Allowing an issue to die only insures it the minds of politicians that it is ok to waste money on things that are un-necessary because because we will forget about it. America was founded by people who were tired of the status quo.

p.s. adhesive side down

Hate to break it to you, there is NO ONE on this board who has the power to fix this issue for you and quite frankly I know Im not the only one who's tired of reading about it in damn near every other post you make. Its gets damn tiresome Nitro. You're like a fucking dog with a bone. Drop it, its not going away and your constant complaining wont fix this for you either.

And regarding your last sentence, Could you BE any more typically male? I mean why is it that men jump right on the "she's on the rag" bandwagon when a woman unloads on them? ( which FYI is no longer an issue for me nor has it been for 5 years now) We've all sat and listened to you whine for 9 fucking months now about the trash cans, walmart, the friggen shit out in the medians on vine AND the chamber of commerce building and I dont recall a single woman here saying you were on the male equivalent of the rag. Making a stupid ass comment like you did above just makes you appear petty and apparently lacking the adequate intelligence to come up with a thoughtful rebuttal.

Oh and in case you dont realise it, WE ALL GET THAT YOU TAKE UMBRAGE WITH THE ABOVE ISSUES IN THE CITY OF HAYS!

There is simply no need to add a daily reminder. We arent stupid OR forgetful here. TRUST ME, we wont forget those things.

Show me the way

LukeTHr wrote:

As far as the soccer complex is concerned, it was an iffy proposition to begin with and with the recent downturns in the financial markets, it would be totally irresponsible for it to go forward at this time. I think the same holds true for the county's plan to purchase the Hadley facility. Spending a dime on these things now has to be stopped right away.

But no one on this board has the power to fix it, so stop bitching.

I hate to beat a dead horse but I think the polycarts suck too

You know what???I think sports are stupid.Who cares.(unless our kiddos are playin' of course)

The sports complex and the Hadley issue will both be on the November ballot. Register if you haven't and VOTE.

Justoo wrote:

The sports complex and the Hadley issue will both be on the November ballot. Register if you haven't and VOTE.

Isn't it easier to just bitch on here?

FHSU get no money from the sales tax. They will only help pay for some of the parking lot and cost of getting utilities out there. There stadium is funded totally out of their budget.

You keep talking about the economy but this is an opportunity to bring money to the community. Even if times get tough we know that sports parent will keep shelling out big bucks for their kids to chase the dream. There is no other business or thing we could bring into this town that can generate as much revenue. Maybe you aren’t business owners but I am and we need the money so that we hire people and buy things and put this money in your pockets.

extra cost .25 cents for 100 dollars. Potential income to town millions.