Bloomington aldermen to vote on helping Normal pay for sports complex study

Posted on April 9, 2018
Sports Facilities Advisory
Bloomington aldermen are being asked to help pay the cost of Florida-based Sports Facilities Advisory’s study determining the feasibility and economic impact of a Twin-Cities multi-sports complex. (Courtesy Facebook/Sports Facilities Advisory)

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington city leaders might want to participate after all in a study determining the feasibility and economic impact of a multi-sports complex in the Twin-Cities.

It’s on the agenda for Monday night’s city council meeting even though Mayor Tari Renner has in recent weeks has expressed reluctance to spend taxpayer dollars on a consultant’s study.

The council is being asked to spend $17,625 for a study performed by Sports Facilities Advisory of Clearwater, Florida.

The Normal Town Council agreed in February to pay the firm up to $47,000, believing only the Bloomington-Normal Convention and Visitors Bureau would help defray the cost.

Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner said at the time he doubted there was support among aldermen to participate in the study.

“We have other issues right now. Rather than focusing on (the study), we had to make sure our budget is balanced,” Renner told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin.

“We’ve been focusing on that and other critical issues,” Mayor Renner said.

However, a staff report to the Bloomington council said there’s money available in the new budget reserved for economic development and other technical and professional services.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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