My point is not that artificial turf fields are bad, it's just that too often the lure of rental fees and less maintenance are used as a major selling point, when those items don't even come close to covering the installation and replacement costs of turf fields. If CS citizens are aware of that and still want the fields for youth bb, tournaments, etc. , then they need to let their support be known to the city council, staff, etc.
Brazos Valley Bombers - COCS baseball diamond.[Staff edit 5/29/25]
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Last: 6 days ago by EBrazosAg
Detective Jake Peralta
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Don't forget, though, that most, if not all, of the cost of the turf and subsequent replacement can be taken from HOT funds.
According to WTAW that's what covered $1.3 million to replace the turf on the existing fields at Veteran's earlier this year.
According to WTAW that's what covered $1.3 million to replace the turf on the existing fields at Veteran's earlier this year.
turfman80 said:
My point is not that artificial turf fields are bad, it's just that too often the lure of rental fees and less maintenance are used as a major selling point, when those items don't even come close to covering the installation and replacement costs of turf fields. If CS citizens are aware of that and still want the fields for youth bb, tournaments, etc. , then they need to let their support be known to the city council, staff, etc.
Username checks out.
Mr.Short-termMemory said:
Obviously it depends on the terms of the lease. If similar to the last 18 years at Travis Field, it will be an utter disaster.
However, I think the city of CS will learn. If the lease is similar to the new one in Bryan, I think it will be a piece of the highest/ best use. If the Bombers are using the new ballfield the same timeframe as at Travis, they had 24 home games over 2 months. If the city of CS attracts tournaments on the open weekends, it's a good fit. Plus, the Bombers will only use it 2 months out of the year. That means you can try to attract tournaments and high school playoff games solely for 8-10 months.
The mistake Bryan made was giving the Bombers the exclusive use. CS won't make that mistake.
In Bryan's defense, when the Bombers came stole 19 years ago, Travis Field was not in use (IIRC). Why not let a baseball team use a field sitting dormant? The Bombers brought the field back to life. And helped trigger the renovation of the Little League fields next door, and then Midtown. The original agreement was fine 19 years ago, but wore out its welcome when Midtown sprung up and the Bombers weren't keeping up with nearby newness.
The use of Travis Field did absolutely nothing to increase the use of the smaller Travis Fields next door. Those fields have been in constant spring and summer use by Little League boys and girls baseball and softball since way before the Bombers.
It's obvious you hate the bombers for some reason, but that's just crazy. Yes there were little league games on those fields for many years, but they were NOTHING like they have been since they were redone (at a big cost to the city of Bryan I might add). Those fields are absolutely slammed now, and it ain't the local little league.
And, the poster you quoted is 100% correct. The bombers brought something cool to a terrible part of town that nobody wanted to be in, and they spent a significant amount of money on upgrades (in lieu of paying rent). Whatever your beef is fine, but we can't change the last 19 years just because someone upset us.
And, the poster you quoted is 100% correct. The bombers brought something cool to a terrible part of town that nobody wanted to be in, and they spent a significant amount of money on upgrades (in lieu of paying rent). Whatever your beef is fine, but we can't change the last 19 years just because someone upset us.
aggiefan2002 said:
It's obvious you hate the bombers for some reason, but that's just crazy. Yes there were little league games on those fields for many years, but they were NOTHING like they have been since they were redone (at a big cost to the city of Bryan I might add). Those fields are absolutely slammed now, and it ain't the local little league.
And, the poster you quoted is 100% correct. The bombers brought something cool to a terrible part of town that nobody wanted to be in, and they spent a significant amount of money on upgrades (in lieu of paying rent). Whatever your beef is fine, but we can't change the last 19 years just because someone upset us.
I don't hate them but I am glad they're being replaced. I do want their name to remain at Travis Major Field. Those smaller Travis Fields were enhanced as part of the mid town park/legacy center development and had nothing to do with the Bombers.
maroon barchetta said:turfman80 said:
My point is not that artificial turf fields are bad, it's just that too often the lure of rental fees and less maintenance are used as a major selling point, when those items don't even come close to covering the installation and replacement costs of turf fields. If CS citizens are aware of that and still want the fields for youth bb, tournaments, etc. , then they need to let their support be known to the city council, staff, etc.
Username checks out.
I already made that joke. I even included a high-quality pun.
turfman80 said:
My point is not that artificial turf fields are bad, it's just that too often the lure of rental fees and less maintenance are used as a major selling point, when those items don't even come close to covering the installation and replacement costs of turf fields. If CS citizens are aware of that and still want the fields for youth bb, tournaments, etc. , then they need to let their support be known to the city council, staff, etc.
That wasn't my point either, I was just trying to get a feel for the economics. If hotel taxes can be used for the replacement costs, and you can average ~200 per day of HOT funds as a result of this field, then it makes sense.
I live in Bryan so I don't care what CS builds or votes for other than whatever tangential effect it may have on my city.
amateur gene ecologist said:maroon barchetta said:turfman80 said:
My point is not that artificial turf fields are bad, it's just that too often the lure of rental fees and less maintenance are used as a major selling point, when those items don't even come close to covering the installation and replacement costs of turf fields. If CS citizens are aware of that and still want the fields for youth bb, tournaments, etc. , then they need to let their support be known to the city council, staff, etc.
Username checks out.
I already made that joke. I even included a high-quality pun.
High quality
Pun
Not sure those go together.
aggiefan2002 said:
Yes there were little league games on those fields for many years, but they were NOTHING like they have been since they were redone (at a big cost to the city of Bryan I might add). Those fields are absolutely slammed now, and it ain't the local little league.
This lines up with some of what I hear about those fields in Bryan. And I think yours is an important point people might not appreciate. If these are booked up for out-of-towner tourneys during the times when locals want to use them, there is a solid chance that these fields are not going to see much local use.
Brian Alg
My words are not intended to be disrespectful to any of the staid and venerable members of College Station City Council
My words are not intended to be disrespectful to any of the staid and venerable members of College Station City Council
Imo, the Travis Fields were stolen from the Little League. I was a Bryan United parents for many years. Mayor Nelson came and did a big speech about us promoting the construction of new fields so that we would have a premier facility. So, many of talked them up to our friends amd neighbors. I called Parks and Rec and they assured me that LL would have priority. They also promised us new high school size fields.
That is NOT what happened. We went from having open access to having to work around their rentals. They supposedly give LL priority Mon-Thurs during the season, but they still rent it out to other teams for practice and make United use Henderson now. They took over the concessions and have ridiculous prices. A management company runs the place. They fenced it all up so that locals can't use the batting cages when they want. We didn't get high school fields (Senior level for LL).
The management company charges rent for other local LL teams to use it and fine them if they don't clean it up to their standards. Many of their employees are rude to the fans. It saddens it me so much to have outsiders (even if they live here) run it instead of Bryan United.
I will never again vote for the city to improve any facility bring used by local organizations. Travis did need improvements, but it was never conveyed that they would lose control of the property and that it would be used to make money for the city.
That is NOT what happened. We went from having open access to having to work around their rentals. They supposedly give LL priority Mon-Thurs during the season, but they still rent it out to other teams for practice and make United use Henderson now. They took over the concessions and have ridiculous prices. A management company runs the place. They fenced it all up so that locals can't use the batting cages when they want. We didn't get high school fields (Senior level for LL).
The management company charges rent for other local LL teams to use it and fine them if they don't clean it up to their standards. Many of their employees are rude to the fans. It saddens it me so much to have outsiders (even if they live here) run it instead of Bryan United.
I will never again vote for the city to improve any facility bring used by local organizations. Travis did need improvements, but it was never conveyed that they would lose control of the property and that it would be used to make money for the city.
and Bonham just sits there
And the Chronicle business page reports a private group building a new 148 ac $40 million dollar baseball complex in the N suburbs. No city funds needed.
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