From the West County Journal in St Louis comes Revenue shortfall makes Sportport’s future uncertain
The problem with Sportport, city officials said, is that it has failed to draw enough revenue to keep pace with costs. Since the facility opened in 1999, the city has spent about $2.5 million to subsidize operations.
Sportport has 12 full-size, fully lighted grass fields that are used primarily for soccer leagues and tournaments but have also been used for other sports such as cricket, rugby and lacrosse. Those other sports, along with soccer, only bring in revenue for six to seven months a year at most, Vaughan said.
According to the article, only 5% of the users are residents which puts the Park District in a difficult position when it comes to covering the deficit. And I think it also points to the fact that costs are likely to increase in soccer regionally as St Louis, Des Moines and other areas battle the costs from the Spring floods and cost increases in gas, fertilizer and related maintenance items.
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