In 2004, Blue Chip Sports started working on a business concept conceived out of the desire to pass on the joy of amateur athletics and the benefits of professional training and coaching. The team that worked on this project had first-hand knowledge and experience of being integrally involved in coaching, networking, fundraising, running major tournaments and doing consulting for youth sports programs. The vision was to create a professional youth sports training facility catering to the amateur athlete to develop discipline, character and moral acumen, as well as allowing them the opportunity to experience the challenge and thrill of playing the highest level of competition in their sport of choice.
In 2006 the Hoffman Estates Park District (HEPD) in Illinois extended Blue Chip Sports a Letter of Intent to source potential sites and fund this project. The proximity to Chicago and two major airports made this complex a potential national tournament destination. The hospitality, youth sports in particular, market is one of the few industries that has continued to grow since 9-11. In 2006 the youth sports market was a $5.4 billion industry. Today it generates over $6.5 billion annually.
Our research, several independent studies and our pro forma illustrated a complex could cost justify its overhead and debt service by year three. These expenses could be covered by weekday leagues, lessons and training of the area’s youth baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, volleyball and lacrosse programs.
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Regional and national tournaments, summer and holiday camps, as well as other entertainment and sports venues would make a publically owned and privately operated enterprise a profitable venture. The local economy would be significantly impacted by thousands of people coming to town every tournament weekend putting heads in beds and families spending money at local establishments. The key ingredients to successfully launching this project would be promoting and marketing the complex as a family friendly destination and pre-selling at least 50% of all available units of time prior to opening the facility.
A team of three individuals and a champion, who was a civil engineer and member of the park board, worked on this project for three and one-half years; researching, benchmarking, visiting and talking to various youth facility operators throughout the country, reviewing numerous independent studies, creating a feasibility study specific to the demographics and information of the site, outlining a plan of action, producing proforma and a business plan.
The concept and the plan have changed many times over the planning and development stage of this project. Research, benchmarking and networking uncovered that the complex had to be designed to accommodate multiple sports and programmed for girls sports training. Our research clearly indicated that the fields must be constructed with synthetic turf to insure tournaments would not be delayed and/or canceled due to rain or have to be rested because of excessive use. In order to cost justify 14 synthetic turf outdoor fields they had to be designed as multi-purpose fields and we needed to place more emphasis on targeting girls training and competition. We found a tremendous void and great demand for quality coaching and facilities to accommodate female amateur athletes.
In the fall of 2008, the Sears Centre, a 12,000 seat arena, which was funded with a $50,000,000 bond issued by the Village of Hoffman Estates, failed financially. The Village of Hoffman Estates, who was going to partner with the HEPD on the Blue Chip Sports project, became responsible and assumed the debt and operations of this facility - shortly after our Letter of Intent was rescinded.
Blue Chip Sports Network is available and interested to help you research, design, implement, staff and/or operate a multi-sports venue that is committed to helping teach amateur athletes life skills via professional coaching, formalized training and a high level of competition.
If you are interested in engaging, getting more information or joining the Blue Chip Sports Network team email us at: Information@BlueChipSports.net
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