Lubbock officials today slowed down talk of a potential new ballpark for the relocating San Antonio Missions (Class AA; Texas League) by postponing any attempt to raise hotel taxes to fund construction of the facility.
Lubbock officials say they’re ready to talk funding of a new ballpark for the Missions and owner Dave Elmore if the team is indeed available — something that would happen if Elmore’s Triple-A team, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, relocates to a new San Antonio ballpark. A feasibility study is in the works, and the City Council voted tonight to postpone any decision on a new ballpark until that study is finished. From the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal:
During Thursday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Dan Pope said more information is needed before the council asks its residents to vote on the matter in an upcoming election….
Councilwoman Karen Gibson asked Nelson a couple of questions about the project and spoke in opposition.
“I have several issues with this. I have not been contacted at all by anybody,” Gibson said. “I’m not understanding why we’re in such a rush to get this done tonight.”
Gibson and Pope were not the only folks opposing a 2-percentage-point increase in the hotel tax: the local hotel/motel association opposes it as well.
As we noted earlier this week, the emergence of Lubbock as a future home of the Missions is a direct competitor to Amarillo should the Missions end up moving from San Antonio to make way for a Triple-A team, something that’s certainly not a done deal yet. When we first reported the Missions were in play, we predicted multiple cities would express interest in the team — it is just not everyday a Texas League team is available. So the fact that Lubbock officials are interested in the team is absolutely no surprise.
RELATED STORIES: Lubbock Poised to Steal Missions from Amarillo?; Amarillo Waits While San Antonio Plan Develops; No Plans For Releasing San Antonio Study; Amarillo Officials Look at Hotel Taxes for Ballpark Construction; Elmore Sports Group Confirms Potential Sky Sox Move to San Antonio; Colorado Spring Sky Sox to San Antonio? Maybe; New Amarillo Ballpark Cost: $48.4 Million; Amarillo debating play for San Antonio Missions; Amarillo voters approve new downtown ballpark; Will vote really decide Amarillo ballpark fate?; Road map for Texas League to Amarillo; Amarillo companies commit to ballpark suites; Debate over new Amarillo ballpark rages on; Amarillo ballpark battle in works this fall; Future of new Amarillo ballpark in doubt