RESOLUTION NO. 260322
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Sponsor: Councilmember Melissa Patterson Hazley
RESOLUTION - Directing the City Manager to identify property and financing suitable for the development of an urban youth sports facility capable of hosting hockey, figure-skating, volleyball, position-specific training for baseball, soccer, track and golf, including tournament regulation facilities or a reasonable combination thereof; prioritizing access for students from Kansas City Public Schools and Hickman Mills School District; and reporting back to the City Council with recommendations within 90 days.
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WHEREAS, Kansas City, Missouri seeks to provide youth competitive sporting opportunities that not only prepare them for college scholarships and further competition but also teach conflict resolution, leadership skills, citizenship, and drive community building; and
WHEREAS, there exists no indoor sporting facility within Kansas City currently capable of hosting youth tournaments across multiple disciplines and providing space for high-quality, position-specific athletic training; and
WHEREAS, the lack of adequate youth sporting facilities places an undue cost burden on families wishing to participate in youth sports, often making it unattainable for many residents; and
WHEREAS, cities in the Kansas City region and across the United States invest in such facilities not only for local youth enrichment but as an economic driver as tournament travelers stay at local hotels and participate in other tourism activities such as food and beverage; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
Section 1. That the City Manager is directed to identify City-owned or other suitable property to support the development of a youth sports facility capable of hosting hockey, figure-skating, volleyball, position-specific training for baseball, soccer, track, and golf, including tournament regulation facilities or a reasonable combination thereof.
Section 2. That the City Manager shall identify potential funding sources necessary to jumpstart such a development and release a Request for Ideas (RFI) from the public at large.
Section 3. That the City Manager shall prioritize transit-oriented development areas that support access for youth sports participants from the Kansas City Public Schools District and Hickman Mills School District and property in proximity to current or planned amenities that support travel and tourism.
Section 4. That the City Manager shall report back to the Council within ninety (90) days of adoption of this resolution with recommendations for property selection, development approach, potential funding, draft RFI and anticipated timeline for the proposed facility.
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