Valley Voice Newspaper

By Steve Pastis

Visalia - It now seems unlikely that the renovations for Recreation Park, the home of the Visalia Oaks, will be completed for $11.6 million, the amount that the Visalia City Council approved last year. The lower of the two bids received for the first of the two phases of the project is $7.74 million – about $2.5 million higher than the $5.2 million that was allocated to that phase.

The bid from Seals-Biehle General Contractors (Visalia) was $7.74 million and the one from Oral E. Micham, Inc. (Woodlake) was $8 million.

The bids are for the improvements along the right field side, which include a new grand entrance, 400 permanent stadium seats, a grass berm (which would also provide seating), a corporate hospitality lounge, new Oaks administrative and ticket offices, new concessions and a merchandise store, and a state-of-the-art line scoreboard. The improvements would bring the park into full compliance with Professional Baseball Standards. The hospitality lounge, the concessions and store, and the scoreboard, with its advertising opportunities, are all expected to generate income.

“The bids have not been awarded,” said Nancy Loliva, community relations manager for the City of Visalia. “At present, the council, subcommittee and staff are evaluating cost options and they will be presented to the city council, tentatively scheduled for the meeting of Feb. 19.”

Tom Seidler, president and general manager of the Visalia Oaks, was asked how the previous cost estimates could have increased by nearly 50 percent. He responded that some things were added, including a second team bullpen (at the Arizona Diamondbacks' request), the replacement of the outfield wall (which needed to be done in the next three years) and a second elevator.

“And I think some of the numbers were just off,” he added, explaining that the earlier contractor estimates were based on “50 percent design development drawings” which don't provide full details of what needs to be done. He also said that construction costs for ballparks rise by 6 percent annually.

“Maybe the numbers a year ago should have been scrutinized more, but if they were, it wouldn't have made any difference,” Seidler said. “We still can't build with brick and mortar and grass for any less.

Seidler believes that “building half of a new facility” for $7.7 million is not a bad investment. He points out that most modern minor league ballparks cost about $32 million to build.

“I have concerns about the price,” said Visalia City Council Member Amy Shuklian. “I said that from the beginning. To say whether I support this or not, I can't say. I haven't seen the staff reports.”

Shuklian acknowledges that the cost estimates were made almost a year ago and “sure they're going to be changes in prices.” She hopes that the city council can make a decision soon in response to the two companies that placed bids.

“We need to get it moving,” she said. “If it's going to happen, let's get it going. If not, then let's let them know.”

Seidler anticipates some changes to the plans, but hopes that things don't change too much.

“It's a good design,” he said. “It gets us needed administrative, concessions, restrooms, merchandise, some air-conditioned space for fans and sponsors, and an area for a kids' zone.” He also said that the proposed new entrance is critical to opening up parking on the south side of the ballpark.

Seidler pointed out that the ballclub is paying for some of the improvements. The kids' zone is entirely the ballclub's investment, as are the furnishing, fixtures and equipment. In addition, the Oaks will pay for a unique way to house its groundskeeping equipment.

“We thought instead of building an ugly shed out here, let's build one that looks like a barn,” Seidler said. “It will symbolize the agricultural heritage of the area. It's one of the ways that we can say that we're not just Visalia's team, but we're the Valley's team. And now 'hit the broad side of a barn' is a hitter's term.”

There are minor league ballparks that have been operating since the 1940s, and Fenway Park, the home of the World Champion Boston Red Sox, will mark its 100th anniversary in a few years.

“I think if they build this, it's a 40-year ballpark,” Seidler said. “It's brick, concrete and steel. That stuff doesn't fade away. I think the face of the neighborhood will change within three-to-five years, maybe less.”

He said that if a ballpark is smartly planned and built in an area that needs a shot in the arm, it will have an impact on that area. “Minor league and major league ballparks have a great track record of improving their neighborhoods,” he said.

Seidler points out that six years ago, Recreation Park was considered the worst ballpark in professional baseball. Improvements made in recent years have changed that designation, as well as dramatically improved attendance. Improved attendance translates into more money for the city through turnstile counts, flat or variable leases, a ticket tax and a percentage of revenues, he explained.

Even with these revenue sources, professional baseball has been and will remain an expense for the City of Visalia. The almost 180 other U.S. cities that have professional baseball teams don't invest in baseball to make a direct profit from the game.

“Part of the reason cities do it is to provide affordable family entertainment, part of it is the economic impact, because you get players and baseball fans and scouts and people who otherwise would not come to Visalia in town,” Seidler said. “Part of it is neighborhood revitalization. So there's kind of a multi-prong payback for their investment.”

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