Scheels buys naming rights to Overland Park Soccer Complex
Thanks to $625,000 from Scheels All Sports, the Overland Park Soccer Complex will get new turf fields — and a new name.
Scheels All Sports secured the naming rights for the facility, which is the highest level of sponsorship available at the complex. The five-year sponsorship will cost the sporting goods retailer $625,000.
In addition, Scheels will be responsible for all initial signage costs, including design, fabrication and installation to rename the complex the Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex. It will also provide $4,000 for new uniforms with the new name and logo.
As part of the agreement, Overland Park will not grant any new advertising or sponsorships during its tenure to any direct competitors for the store.
The city plans to use the sponsorship money for field turf replacement.
Scheels, based out of North Dakota, is scheduled to open in Overland Park, near 135th Street and Metcalf Avenue, in late June.
“We’ve received nothing but open arms from the community, so we’re excited to create this partnership,” said Lucas Hachmeister, assistant store leader for Scheels.
Also Monday, the city council approved a series of public hearings regarding public financing for a mixed-use redevelopment intended for the northeast corner of 91st Street and Metcalf Avenue.
To be renamed the Promontory, the remodeled shopping area will feature retail and residential buildings.
Current tenants include Half Price Books, J. Gilbert’s Wood-Fired Steaks and Seafood, the Longbranch Saloon, and IHOP, among many others.
The developer will be seeking tax increment financing and a community improvement district.
While the council unanimously approved the public hearings, Councilman Terry Goodman expressed concern that the project would be broken up into different parts. He feels it is vital city staff receives confirmation that all parts will be equally finished.
“We need reasonable guarantee the project will be built,” he said. “Our goal is not to have a developer come here and show us a panoramic picture, only to get part of it done in the end.”
A few council members worried that since Kansas lawmakers last week passed higher sales taxes, it will negatively affect public financing, such as CIDs.
But city staff said its affect would remain to be seen.
“We haven’t seen the state statute yet, so we haven’t seen the specific language,” City Manager Bill Ebel said. “These big developments may be exempt, we don’t know.”
One of the last items the council approved was awarding the bid for Roe Park improvements to Cobra Contractors LLC, in the amount of $1.8 million.
Enhancements will include the demolition of Roe Pool, reconstruction and expansion of the parking lot, the construction of a restroom and picnic shelters, a play area, an interactive fountain, tennis courts, and other site improvements.
A large active playground will also be installed under a separate contract.
Construction is expected to begin immediately after the pool closing in August and is tentatively scheduled to be complete by March of 2016.
“This has been an impressive process and I think staff has done a great job working with the neighbors,” Councilman Curt Skoog said. “Now, let’s get something good built.”
This story was originally published June 16, 2015 at 11:51 AM with the headline "Scheels buys naming rights to Overland Park Soccer Complex."