“HARRISBURG CITY ISLANDERS RELEASE RESULTS OF ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY FOR NEW STADIUM ON CITY ISLAND”
Harrisburg, PA—Today Mayor Eric Papenfuse, the Dauphin County Commissioners, and the Harrisburg City Islanders Pro Soccer and Youth Academy announced the results of months of planning for a new multi-use stadium facility in 2016 at the current city owned Skyline Sports Complex on Harrisburg’s City Island.
“This new facility, once completed,” noted Mayor Papenfuse, “will upgrade the current facility seating to over 4,500 seats, create a new entrance plaza, a new concession area, locker rooms and restroom facilities, a new scoreboard, and a variety of other amenities designed to allow this facility to be a multi-use soccer field, youth development center, concert arena, and a wonderful destination facility completing the north end of City Island. Furthermore, the financing of this project will not involve any City funds, “he added.
As part of the process, a study conducted by Delta Development Inc was released entitled “The Benefits of a New City Islanders Stadium to the Harrisburg Community and its Economy.” The study documents that the new stadium will:
· attract 156,000 visitors annually who are expected to spend nearly million per year in the local economy;
· increase the Islanders direct spending to nearly .4 million as well as creating direct employment of nearly 200 jobs including the construction project itself;
· create ongoing annual benefits including the many businesses that sell goods and services to the City Islanders which are expected to spend approximately .5 million annually in the local and regional economy;
· generate new state and local tax revenue of over million during the construction of the facility and 0,000 each year—over five times that of the current facility; and,
· generate as much as 1,000 annually in amusement taxes for the City of Harrisburg.
“The players and the fans absolutely love our home field location here on City Island,” noted Islanders President Eric Pettis, “but it’s important for us to plan for the future and lay out a strategy for building a newer and more modern facility that meets the standards of our rapidly expanding USL Pro Soccer League. We believe this study clearly documents the many economic and community benefits and impact that a new City Island facility will provide to soccer fans, local businesses, and community youth athletic programs all across the City and the region,” added Pettis.
As part of the planning process for the new stadium, the Islanders have also produced a new video detailing the need for such a new facility which is viewable on their website. In addition, a team of professionals for the pre-development phase of the stadium project have been assembled led by long-time city developer, Harristown Enterprises Inc. (project manager), R.S. Mowery (construction manager), By Design Consultants (planner/architects) and K&W (engineering and land development). Also, available as part of the announcement today was a complete cost estimate of the Million stadium project and a set of schematic drawings of the new stadium project. Funding for the planning process and the study thus far was provided by a grant from the Dauphin County Commissioners. The Islanders have played at the Skyline Sports complex on City Island for the past decade.
The USL PRO League, in which the City Islanders play, is the strongest, best operated and most experienced North American men’s professional soccer league below the Major League Soccer (MLS), both on and off the field. In 2013, USL PRO began a groundbreaking, multi-year partnership with the MLS that will enhance the development of the players and strengthen the competition in both leagues, and establish a solid foundation for future collaboration. USL PRO features 14 teams participating in the 2014 season including new expansion teams Oklahoma City, Sacramento FC and LA Galaxy II. Slated for expansion in 2015, teams from Tulsa OK and Colorado Springs will increase the USL PRO league to 16 teams.
The Harrisburg City Islanders are exclusive affiliate partners with the Philadelphia Union of MLS. The Harrisburg City Islanders and the Philadelphia Union were the first teams to merge into partnership between the MLS and USL PRO leagues over four years ago. This exclusive relationship was established in 2010 and has paved the way for both leagues expanding this partnership which includes interleague play. Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC, is the ownership group of Philadelphia Union led by CEO and Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz.
The Islanders Home Opener is slated for Saturday, April 19 at 7pm against Dayton at the Skyline Sports Complex. For more information go to www.cityislanders.com or phone 717-441-4625.