December 6, 200421 yr In a sports world where franchises are always looking for more ways to make money with newer facilities, the Kansas City Royals reject a plan by Kansas City officials to move them to Downtown Kansas City. Instead, the Royals present their option of renovating their existing ballpark masterpiece on I-70, Kauffman Stadium, to bring the 32-year old ballpark to modern baseball standards. Kansas City's Royals and Chiefs play at the Truman Sports Complex, but their leases specifically detail that neither team can do anything to their own facility without an agreement with the other. From the Kansas City Star: Had the proposal passed, the clubs would have extended their leases until 2030. Jackson County contributes $3.5 million, the state of Missouri $3 million and the city of Kansas City $2 million for annual maintenance and toward debt service on bonds issued in 1998 to pay for Kauffman Stadium improvements such as the Crown seats, new seats at both stadiums and video boards for Arrowhead. Kauffman opened in 1973 and is still a very popular place amongst baseball fans to visit. It is best-known for it's outfield fountains that blast streams of water into the air during games. The last major renovations were the debut of the Royals offseason renovations, with the new Crown Club, Dugout Suites and lower level seat replacement project in 1999 and the completion of the Royal Pavilion in 2000. Jackson County has until Dec. 31st, 2006 to get an agreement for a ballpark solution (either a Kauffman renovation or a new downtown park), an Arrowhead Stadium renovation solution, and the money to pay for it or the teams will be freed from their leases. While there is a chance the Royals and Chiefs could leave Kansas City if a deal is not reached, it is expected that each will stay with the lease and just pay for the renovations themselves and withholding that money from their rent to the County. From the Kansas City Business Journal: In December, the Downtown Council of Kansas City said it will offer financing alternatives for construction of a downtown baseball stadium. The proposal better be impressive for the Royals to leave their baseball oasis and all the memories they have made there behind. Kansas City is planning on building a new Downtown Arena (to-be-called Sprint Arena) to replace the aging Kemper Arena. They hope to lure an NBA or NHL franchise to Kansas City.
December 6, 200421 yr Author I hope the Royals keep Kauffman, it is the most beautiful ballpark in baseball....and it's in the middle of nowhere! Amazing!
December 7, 200421 yr I hope the Royals keep Kauffman, it is the most beautiful ballpark in baseball....and it's in the middle of nowhere! Amazing! 628376[/snapback] Kinda like the field in "Field of Dreams." They should plant corn around the fountains to give it more of a Midwest feel.
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