Cortland Model
Situational Analysis: Key Industry Comparables and Conditions
An example in New York State of two complexes that have characteristics that the Chautauqua Multi-Use Development Committee might consider are The Community Center in Lansing, outside of Ithaca, and the recently opened J.M. McDonald Sports Complex in Cortland. The facilities are 501(c)(3) private non-profits, are the only combined ice skating-turf field facilities that can be identified in New York State, have one sheet of ice and two indoor turf fields, and, in the case of The Community Center, has a financial performance record of achieving financial breakeven on operations and debt service payments.-
Should a single-sheet and dual-turf field facility be the program of choice for the Committee, accommodation can be made in the design and planning process for expansion of ice sheets and/or turf fields, if ongoing utilization volume by one or both key user groups proves over time that such expansion is warranted, and if such expansion can be rationalized, from the perspective of financial performance, based on proposed capital investment and projected economic return.
Oversight and Operation: -
Overview
Recent indoor field sports facility development in New York State has occurred in and around major markets (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse) as well as in smaller markets (Cortland, Ithaca). In all but one case, new facilities were built by private for-profit developers/operators. Based on assessment of available operating information from some of these facilities, it is evident that achieving economic break-even as a for-profit entity requires that per session team fees for leagues be in the range of $785-825 per team for soccer and $625-$875 per team for lacrosse, with per hour field rental rates of $100 or $125 to $200 per hour begin the norm throughout the state.