Sportspark Renovation Project Heats Up Commissioners Court

by Stephanie Valle

EL PASO — The plan for a multi-million dollar renovation of the county Sportspark drew some heat during a Commissioners Court session Monday.

The county has already set aside $10-million dollars for the project, which would be built by Big League Dreams, a company that replicates Major League Baseball parks for small scale city parks. The project was not approved by voters and Commissioners Court have still not signed a contract with the company.

Pat Rainer, who happens to be a supporter of girls softball,told Commissioners Court it should throw out the bid and start over once again.

Shebelieves taxpayers should have a say in how the park is remodeled, pointingout that cities across the country that have hired Big League Dreams ran overbudget by millions of dollars. “Commissioners Court isnot a private entity, they are a public entity. This is taxpayer’s money,” she said.

Rainer also stated the country is not licensed to do business in Texas and does not have a franchise certification.

County Commissioner Luis Sarinana has been a strong supporter of the project since he was elected in 2006. He agreed with Rainer but also said its his job to make projects like these become a reality. “There should be communication with the public, they deserve that. But, we’re put in office to make these tough decisions,” he said.

Sarinana guaranteed the project will not run overbudget. “This $10 million is going to be[enough]to complete the entire project. I guarantee 100% that this project is not going to go over budge,” he said.

According to auditors, the county has been losing an average of $300,000 a year running the Sportspark since 2002.