Joe Albi’s future

In May of 2004, former Mayor Jim West brought up the idea of selling Joe Albi Stadium and surrounding city-owned land to help offset the city’s budget deficit.

The idea became a real possibility last August when Councilman Brad Stark presented a resolution on behalf of West to declare Albi surplus property and provide for its sale. The council voted 6-1 to reject the resolution.

In September, the Joe Albi Stadium Citizens’ Advisory committee was formed, at West’s request, to evaluate the future of the stadium.

The committee had an engineering study done that concluded the stadium, while not a state-of-the-art sports facility, is in fair condition and could continue to operate indefinitely if it had a proper maintenance program.

The committee’s recommendations state that sources of revenue other than the city must be found if the 56-year old stadium is to remain viable.

Unlike other city facilities, Albi stadium is expected to cover its operating expenses solely through revenue from events and user fees.

Without additional revenue, the committee suggested that the city should turn the operation of the facility over to another party.

The committee also called for construction of a voter-approved sports complex on the stadium’s surrounding property.

The committee’s findings and recommendations were presented to Mayor Dennis Hession in February.