Werner Park - Sarpy County/Royals Stadium

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 9:32 am

Hopefully they would do a better job developing the area around it. I love Truman but they did a bad job of developing the area immediately around it. They did add a CoCo Keys Waterpark to the Sheraton there (used to be an Adams Mark).

Greg

annad · Post by **annad** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:45 pm

Greg S wrote:Hopefully they would do a better job developing the area around it. I love Truman but they did a bad job of developing the area immediately around it. They did add a CoCo Keys Waterpark to the Sheraton there (used to be an Adams Mark).

Greg

Yep. The CoCo Key in KC is almost an exact replica of ours. They did an AMAZING job with the renovation of that property. It had quite a reputation as the old Adams Mark, but now it is gorgeous. I would highly recommend it (and not just because I work for the company).

Post by **Brad** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 4:28 pm

Omaha Royals president meets with Sarpy County officials

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2 ... d=10389638

JOE DEJKA WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER wrote:Omaha Royals President Alan Stein joined Sarpy County officials and a consultant in today briefing about 35 business leaders on the possibility of building a suburban ball park.

The briefing took place at La Vista's Embassy Suites convention center. Local and state government officials from Sarpy County got a similar morning briefing.

Stein told business leaders that negotiating a deal with Omaha's Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority to use the planned downtown stadium remains his top priority. He said it's prudent for him to explore alternatives, but no decision to move to Sarpy County or two other cities vying for the Royals will be made until a final resolution is reached with MECA.

He said he expects to meet with MECA officials within two weeks.

thenewguy · Post by **thenewguy** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 7:35 pm

i know I'm preaching to the choir here but i really really hope they go downtown. I'm only 3 summers away from going to ball games on my bicycle....they can't take it from me!!

HskrFanMike · Post by **HskrFanMike** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:25 pm

Here's the other quote from the World-Herald:

Sarpy County business leaders, overall, expressed excitement over the prospect of a suburban ballpark, though the cost to taxpayers remains unknown.

At the meeting, Sarpy County Administrator Mark Wayne raised the prospect that property taxes may be needed to help build a ballpark. That will be "a real tough issue" for local governments, Wayne said.

KETV-7 has another story online, where Alan Stein basically says the PCL wants the Royals out of Omaha. (Does that mean out of downtown Omaha, or out of the Omaha metro area?)
http://www.ketv.com/sports/16980720/detail.html

On Thursday, Stein said that as his talks with MECA continue, there are three options for the team. He said they could stay in the Omaha area, become a single-A league team or become an independent club. Whether the Royals stay in the metro or move, Stein said that the team has been getting pressure from their superiors in the AAA Pacific Coast League.

"They have to approve any lease deal and they have asked us to consider how difficult staying in Omaha is for the Pacific Coast League in terms of scheduling and franchise value," Stein said.

Even with a suburban stadium, they may not want to take a chance on playing games in Omaha during the College World Series.

Post by **nebugeater** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:42 am

Twiztid1 wrote:
HskrFanMike wrote:Even with a suburban stadium, they may not want to take a chance on playing games in Omaha during the College World Series.
I always wondered how the Royals would handle the CWS if they ended up in their own stadium.

I think that would play as though it was not going on. My guess it that it would help attendance during that stretch. There are already tons of baseball fans in town. Between the kids tourney's and the fans of the teams that may not happen to be playing at the time of a Royals game, there is plenty of opportunity to draw in some baseball fans that may not be Royals fans for an evening or low cost baseball entertainment.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 6:23 pm

I would go to games when the CWS was in town. I go to CWS games now but don't take my boys because they are little and it's a waste to spend that much on tickets for them.

I think Sarpy will come up with a way to do this without property taxes. Obviously they want the Royals and are lining up the business community there to make it work.

Greg

OmahaJaysCU · Post by **OmahaJaysCU** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:58 pm

The Royals will make their decision with MECA in 2 weeks? What happened to the 6 months they mentioned earlier.

The deal must have been either A: too good to pass up, or B: a complete slap in the face. I am going to guess that it was B.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 11:03 am

Where did it say they will make the decision in 2 weeks??? I only saw where they are meeting again with the city of Omaha in the next two weeks.

Greg

Post by **Brad** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 12:47 pm

Breaking News: Omaha Royals will consider other proposals

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2 ... d=10398800

KAREN SLOAN WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER wrote:It's looking less likely that the Omaha Royals will play in a new downtown stadium.

The team now is ready to consider proposals from Sarpy County and cities outside the metro area.

That decision by team President Alan Stein comes after the Royals and the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority failed to secure an agreement for the ballclub to be tenants in Omaha's new downtown baseball stadium.

Stein met with MECA President Roger Dixon and other city officials this morning to discuss a deal proposed by MECA in late June.

"We're now exploring the option of being free agents," Stein said after the hourlong meeting. "There are still a lot of outstanding issues, and we don't have a deal (to play downtown)."

Dixon said that after today's meeting, the odds of reaching a deal with the Royals are growing slimmer.

"The door is not totally shut, but it's getting closer," he said.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:01 pm

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:11 pm

DTO Luv wrote:What's the |expletive| problem?!?!?!?!? Give the Royals the |expletive| deal they want!. Jesus Christ.

No. David Sokol.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:14 pm

Amen.

ThatGuy · Post by **ThatGuy** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:23 pm

I go to roughly 10 Royals games a year and if they played DT I would probably double that. However, if they think I'm going to drive DT, pay $6 to park and watch some Independent League |expletive| they are insane. I will be going to Sarpy County and I'm sure there are many more just like me. Good luck with that whole North Downtown thing idiots.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:38 pm

ThatGuy wrote:Good luck with that whole North Downtown thing idiots.

Thanks, but I have to say I take offense to your use of the term "North Downtown".

OmahaJaysCU · Post by **OmahaJaysCU** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:38 pm

Is anyone really surprised by this? MECA was willing to give the Royals absolutely nothing they wanted. Can you blame them?

It sucks that the Royals won't be downtown, but the Royals have to do whats best for them. Build a true minor league stadium.

In regards to North Downtown: it will still develop into the area that we all know it can be. The Royals simply would have given it a shot in the arm. Can a streetcar route not do that too? The fact of the matter is that downtown is turning into the thriving area that can support such a district. Would the Royals have helped things? Absolutely. But the fact of the matter is that we will still be fine without them.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:47 pm

The stupidity of this won't really be judged until the details of the hangup come to light.

If the Royals were looking for the same free ride they had at the Blatt, then HTFR so long see ya buh bye.

If MECA was being pissypants nancy bitchies about $6 parking, then, well, time to look for new management there, too.

My guess is both sides were being egofreaks, and Omaha gets to be the meat in the |expletive| sandwich.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:52 pm

I don't see the sense in them pursuing a team with less appeal, and less money than AAA baseball. To me it sounds as if the MECA would budge on anything they would go DT. For the life of me I really can't figure it out. If it was still a wash financially to have or not have the Royals there, then give them the |expletive| deal. Retards!

Post by **Brad** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:43 pm

What if.... And speaking completely hypothetical here, but what if....

Before you chastise me, I want the Royals to play downtown. With it looking like that's not an option, how about Midtown?

I know I have brought it up before, but just think of the Possibilities! North Downtown VS Aksarben Village, one is already happening.

What about UNO and The Omaha Royals teaming together to get this built. The Current Plan is a bit small for the Royals but if they teamed together it might work.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:50 pm

I would much rather have them in Midtown (Aksarben) than Sarpy County. Besides UNO is already building a Stadium, what wrong with making it a little bigger.

Besides Midtown (Aksarben) would be in the Middle for EVERYONE, Sarpy county, Downtown, Bennington, Elkhorn. and right next to the almost done Askarben Village. It think its perfect.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:11 pm

Omaha Royals 4 main Issues:
1. Parking - Cost
2. Size - Number of Seats
3. Economy - Affordability for fans to attend
4. Schedule - Being forced out for 2 weeks every summer.

Royals have a self imposed deadline of March 2009 to pick a new home.

Another MLB affiliated team can not use the downtown stadium if the royals stay anywhere in the Metro.

OmahaBen · Post by **OmahaBen** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:11 pm

Brad wrote:I would much rather have them in Midtown (Aksarben) than Sarpy County. Besides UNO is already building a Stadium, what wrong with making it a little bigger.

And by a little bigger you mean 5-10x's bigger.

UNO only needs a stadium in the 1-2,000 seat range. It's D2 baseball, the national leader in attendance is like 900/game.

The O Royals would want roughly 10,000 seats, give or take.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:14 pm

OmahaBen wrote:
Brad wrote:I would much rather have them in Midtown (Aksarben) than Sarpy County. Besides UNO is already building a Stadium, what wrong with making it a little bigger.
And by a little bigger you mean 5-10x's bigger.

UNO only needs a stadium in the 1-2,000 seat range. It's D2 baseball, the national leader in attendance is like 900/game.

The O Royals would want roughly 10,000 seats, give or take.

I know, but it they had a partner to help take care of the extra 8000 seats, why not.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:17 pm

Then we have another team that will |expletive| about wanting a right sized venue.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:21 pm

DTO Luv wrote:Then we have another team that will |expletive| about wanting a right sized venue.

Well in my never ending dream of UNO going D1 some day, they will have the right sized venue!

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:44 pm

Actually I think the Royals would be happy with 7,500 seats.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 4:23 pm

Back on track...

Brad wrote:Omaha Royals 4 main Issues:
1. Parking - Cost
2. Size - Number of Seats
3. Economy - Affordability for fans to attend
4. Schedule - Being forced out for 2 weeks every summer.

Royals have a self imposed deadline of March 2009 to pick a new home.

Another MLB affiliated team can not use the downtown stadium if the royals stay anywhere in the Metro.

I think the Royals would be happy with getting their way on 1 of the 4 issues. They can't change the schedule, they can't change the size... MECA needed to budge on Parking or Economics? I am sure they could have given a little on either one. May be not even free parking but $3 parking. Royals are in charge of concessions at Rosenblatt, so they can do 1/2 price hot dogs on Monday, kids eat free Tuesdays, half price burgers at noon on Wednesday, thirsty Thursdays..... I don't think they will be able to do that with MECA running the concessions.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 4:40 pm

What it basically comes down to is the new stadium was built without the need for the Royals financially. They were going to be a nice addition if something could be worked out, but if not... thanks for playin'. There was no way the city or the NCAA was going to allow themselves to get tits over |expletive| on the concessions, parking and leasing arrangements like they had at Rosenblatt. It wouldn't shock me in the least if the Royals' share of the concessions during the CWS doesn't bring the city more money than the Royals did.

I guarantee you the Royals will at least be back to discuss something long term when they see the types of deals they are offered elsewhere - barring some other jurisdiction's insatiable desire to have it rammed up their collective piehole.

-Big E

edit: we censor A but not T, huh?

Post by **nebugeater** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 7:48 pm

Also, back to the intent. I can see the pro and con of a DT location and a Sarpy location. I just want it to be an Omaha Metro location and not GONE.

Is there any chance that maybe no matter what the deal the Royals do not want to play DT? With the time away from their home in the prime part of their season maybe they see it as a benefit to play in Omaha at the same time as the CWS. They loose control of a fair portion of the revenue stream in a DT park that they probably do not loose in a West O park. Maybe, just maybe, unless they get near 100% of what they want they are perfectly content with a Sarpy Co park. Who really know who approached who on the issue first. The comment about blaming Sarpy officials for this may be completely off base. Maybe the Royals came calling.

It has also been mentioned that the league is tired of the CWS scheduling issues. Maybe there is some pressure their to look at other viable options before the DT option.

Just some thoughts.

OmahaJaysCU · Post by **OmahaJaysCU** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 10:47 pm

nebugeater wrote:The comment about blaming Sarpy officials for this may be completely off base. Maybe the Royals came calling.

According to a news story I saw on KMTV about 3 weeks ago, they have been having talks for several years. Basically from the day the Royals announced they were unhappy at Rosenblatt a few movers and shakers in Sarpy County started trying to convince them. The problem was, they wanted to be downtown. Now that is out of the picture...

This will be interesting to watch. I just hope they don't leave. I had a great time at the game tonight, thats for sure. As a Royals fan, it is exciting to see guys like Kaaihue and Shealy who will some day be in KC. It would suck to lose that for an independent team.

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 11:31 pm

Apparently the Royals are averaging 5,400 thus far this year... placing them 9th among the 16 teams of the PCL. Not too shabby... I bet they'd draw even more in a new ballpark... regardless of whether it's downtown or Sarpy County.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:10 am

That's probably why we get along so well.

Plus what's to say that Sarpy will come back with a viable option? With all of the separate cities in the county it could lead to them bickering over who will get it. Plus the Sarpy plan would call for property tax increase unlike the DT stadium.

I'm still holding out hope that the Royals are just doing some major posturing to get a deal DT. I think they realize how much the city needs them DT for other things not related to baseball.

CapitalGuy · Post by **CapitalGuy** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:46 am

Time to face facts - the new stadium will be a shitty venue for minor league baseball for the same reason that Rosenshat was/is. It is too damn big. I am not an attendance figures junky but I can't imagine that even the most successful AAA franchise would consistently fill more than 60% of the seats in either stadium. So basically, Omaha chose the CWS over minor league baseball. It was a judgment decision and since we are essentially a prostitute to the CWS it was an easy decision to make. Now, it is time to move on and explore other options. Lots of other things could be done with that stadium: outdoor concerts, Creighton Baseball, and my personal favorite: luring a MLB team (probably the Royals or maybe the Cubs if the Ricketts grab them) to play 1-3 series a year at the stadium. The last one is probably pie-in-the-sky, but in my opinion it would generate far more buzz than any minor league team likely would.

Post by **Brad** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:22 pm

Allen Stein on 590am here in a couple of min!

Post by **Brad** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:37 pm

Wow.... the royals have had 13 calls in the past 24 hours from other markets!

Also, he says that there are no other "Third Party Managements" (MECA) in minor league baseball.

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:43 pm

I'm curious... do Walter and Warren have ANY input/influence on this decision??

OmahaBen · Post by **OmahaBen** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:44 pm

Brad wrote:Wow.... the royals have had 13 calls in the past 24 hours from other markets!

That's not a shock. AAA teams are hard to come by. Teams don't move around a whole lot at the AA and AAA level in baseball. If the O Royals go, there's not a whole lot of options for who they could bring in. Honestly, a Northern League team that competes against Lincoln might be the best we could hope for.

Which is why, if downtown's not an option, everyone should hope Sarpy County gets it.

If Omaha loses the O Royals, they'll be the largest city without a professional ball team in the country by far. To put it in perspective, I believe Lincoln held that distinction before the Salt Dogs moved into town.

Stargazer wrote:I'm curious... do Walter and Warren have ANY input/influence on this decision??

Technically, yes. In reality, I think they've both said they'll let Stein decide what's best for the team.

Stargazer · Post by **Stargazer** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:50 pm

To put it in perspective, I believe Lincoln held that distinction before the Salt Dogs moved into town.

Maybe we can make a sweetheart deal to draw the Salt Dogs down I-80.

Mr.Nuke · Post by **Mr.Nuke** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:05 pm

Brad wrote:Back on track...

Brad wrote:Omaha Royals 4 main Issues:
1. Parking - Cost
2. Size - Number of Seats
3. Economy - Affordability for fans to attend
4. Schedule - Being forced out for 2 weeks every summer.

Royals have a self imposed deadline of March 2009 to pick a new home.

Another MLB affiliated team can not use the downtown stadium if the royals stay anywhere in the Metro.
I think the Royals would be happy with getting their way on 1 of the 4 issues. They can't change the schedule, they can't change the size... MECA needed to budge on Parking or Economics? I am sure they could have given a little on either one. May be not even free parking but $3 parking. Royals are in charge of concessions at Rosenblatt, so they can do 1/2 price hot dogs on Monday, kids eat free Tuesdays, half price burgers at noon on Wednesday, thirsty Thursdays..... I don't think they will be able to do that with MECA running the concessions.

I guess I disagree. Clearly 2 and 4 are non-negotiable, I do agree with you on that. Parking isn't an option though in my opinion. Stein was seeking $3 parking. The problem is that if you make that exception for the Royals convention bookings and other events are going to demand to get that rate too. The parking money goes towards paying off the bonds. As for economics, I don't really want to comment without knowing what MECA was offering.