HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8487 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8487
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Date: April 8, 2003
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SUBJECT: Potential Sponsorship of City-owned Athletic Fields
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At the request of City Council member Jim Lane, the Parks and Community Services Department has done an initial
review and research to assess the opportunity for public/private sponsorship of city athletic field facilities.
In an effort to meet the requests of citizens for a higher level of quality in facilities and maintenance the Parks and
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Community Services Department is seeking City Council direction regarding the potential for athletic field complex
sponsorships to support maintenance and addition of amenities. Athletic complexes that could be involved in such a
program include Rockwood Park, Harmon Field, Rolling Hills, Gateway, Sycamore,North and West Park.
Sponsors of fields would be provided with the opportunity to advertise at any or all of the above competition athletic
field complexes in the city. Steps would be taken to survey customers, determine their wishes, develop cost analysis
and prioritize improvements into an action plan. When implemented, the plan would provide the customers with the
level of facility that they desire, provided the necessary support funding can be obtained.
Efforts to solicit funding from private sources would focus on companies. that are based or have offices in Fort
Worth. Structured funding levels of primary and second tier donors (i.e. Gold, Silver or Bronze) would be
°stabllshed and potential partners could choose the funding level that best suited them.
items for consideration include a sluggish economy that could hinder sponsorship efforts, a high likelihood of
minimum levels of sponsorships, guidelines for advertising eligibility (i.e, adult products) and level of advertising
(i.e.number of signs, size, etc. that would be acceptable and meet city code).
Methods of solicitation would include creation of target marketing criteria, letters to local companies and sporting
goods stores, newspaper announcements and personal visitation with service organizations. We would also explore
the merit of engaging a marketing firm to manage the solicitation of funding.
This concept is new to Texas municipalities. Of the 13 cities statewide that were surveyed, none had ever attempted
to solicit corporate sponsorship of municipal game fields. We believe that this is a viable option for enhanced quality
of the athletic complexes in Fort Worth. If funding levels are reduced, this program could provide assistance in
maintaining current service levels.
The Parks and Community Services Department will move forward with sponsorship solicitation as outlined above
within the month unless directed otherwise by the City Council..
Should you have any questions or comments, please contact Richard Zavala, Parks and Community Services
Department Director or Joe Paniagua, Assistant City Manager.
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ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, 'TEXAS