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EVT plans foster dorm/ P. 7
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An edition of the East Valley Tribune
Sunday, September 18, 2022
FREE ($1 OUTSIDE THE EAST VALLEY) | TheMesaTribune.com
INSIDE
Money woes ringing EV sports park’s bell
IT’S TIME TO VOTE
BY SCOTT SHUMAKER Tribune Staff Writer
THEMESATRIBUNE.COM
COMMUNITY ........
B
ell Bank Park in Mesa needs a grand slam this fall. After opening in February to much fanfare, revenue for the destination 320-acre sports complex’s first six months of operation fell short of projections. The complex failed to generate profits in its opening months, and in August, Legacy Cares, the nonprofit owner of the park, slashed its
revenue forecast for the year by more than half. Summer business was especially disappointing, prompting Bell Bank Park to modify its business model to be more of a seasonal operation than the year-round venue originally pitched to investors. In order to hit even its scaled-down revenue targets and make next year’s loan repayments due to its institutional investors, Legacy Cares is counting on a dramatic increase in income once cooler weather arrives. The project’s principals have committed to
contributing $7.9 million out of pocket to help cover the loan payment due in January 2023 and say they will kick in more if necessary. During an Aug. 30 disclosure call with investors, representatives for the park’s creditors asked Legacy Cares leadership pointed questions about the park’s ability to start generating greater revenue. Chad Miller, CEO of Legacy Sports – the entity that manages the park for the nonprofit
Mesa may get Going for broke choosier on 23 future projects
Metalhead to address mental health at Skyline.
SPORTS .................. 33 Mountain View athlete hits prime time. COMMUNITY .................................... 23 BUSINESS ........................................... 28 OPINION ............................................ 30 SPORTS ................................................ 33 GET OUT ............................................. 35 CLASSIFIED ........................................ 43 ZONE 2
see BELL page 19
BY SCOTT SHUMAKER Tribune Staff Writer
I
n light of Mesa’s recent economic successes, Mesa’s mayor and city manager think the city can be choosier in the future about which projects get the welcome mat from the city. City leaders were addressing local business leaders at the Economic Development Advisory Board meeting on earlier this month. Everyone who spoke there agreed that Mesa has had an incredible economic run in recent years, attracting Fortune 500 and Fortune 50 companies to the city and seeing long-planned
see FUTURE page 4
Andrew Kuzyk of Mesa, holding his dog Champ the Chihuahua, who was born without front legs, suffers from a terminal brain tumor. The cost of treatment is forcing him and his wife, Pamela Andersen, to sell off almost all their possessions. You can read his story on page 8. (David Minton/Tribune Staff Photographer)
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