Chiefs Chiefs ready to move training camp back to St. Joe.

**BigRedChief** · 12-12-2008, 12:00 PM

http://www.stjoenews.net/news/2008/d...western/?local

Chiefs ready to invest $10M to bring camp to Western
State board will vote on issue Tuesday
by R.J. Cooper, by Alyson E. Raletz
Friday, December 12, 2008

Only one vote separates St. Joseph from possibly landing the Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp.

The Chiefs have committed in writing to move their summer training camp from Wisconsin to Missouri Western State University — including a $10 million donation — pending the success of a $25 million state tax credit proposal, according to Missouri Development Finance Board documents that were released Thursday.

“I never ever gave up hope that this could happen,” said Sen. Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, a longtime advocate for the camp’s relocation to St. Joseph who’s been involved in recent negotiations. “I view this as something that could be transformational for our community.”

The board meets Tuesday in Jefferson City, Mo., to consider awarding its tax credits “to leverage a $50 million contribution from the Chiefs” for improvements to Arrowhead Stadium and other ball park common areas.
If the deal is sealed, the Chiefs would donate $10 million from the sale of the tax credits to Western for a new indoor practice facility — the future site of the training camp in 2010 and for the next 10 years as long as the facilities are constructed.

The proposal is a joint venture from the Chiefs and the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority, which owns Arrowhead.

The Chiefs staged their training camp outside of Missouri for the past 19 years. River Falls, Wis., has served as the Chiefs’ host in recent years despite repeated attempts from St. Joseph officials to attract the camp, most recently in 2006.

Several Western officials declined to discuss the proposal to relocate the camp to St. Joseph. Dirck Clark, president of Western’s governing board, cited legal reasons.

“I am aware it’s out there,” Western athletic director Dave Williams said of the proposal. “Being in the middle of a negotiation, we think it’s best to keep those negotiations with us at this point as much as possible.
He added, “We’ve always been open to bringing the Chiefs to St. Joe for the good of the community and the good of Missouri Western itself,” though Williams wouldn’t comment on the current situation or any specifics.

Back in September, Western bonded the Max Experience money (a student fee that raises about $500,000 annually) for $6.3 million to renovate the university’s athletic facilities. At the time, Mr. Williams said he planned to begin the $3.45 million upgrades to Spratt Stadium before winter. But the renovation on the visitors’ side of Spratt remains in the conceptual phase.

According the proposal, the new football training facilities would total $13.45 million, which would equal the Chiefs’ $10 million donation and Western’s original renovation plans.

Denny Thum, the Chiefs’ executive vice president, didn’t return a News-Press phone message Thursday.

Mr. Shields said the entire offer for Western hinges on the outcome of Tuesday’s meeting.

“If the tax credits don’t happen, there’d be question as to whether the additional investment would happen,” Mr. Shields said. “The (openness) issue is frankly because it’s not a completed deal.”

The proposal comes a week after Gov.-elect Jay Nixon called for a review of the effectiveness of all state tax credits and their ability to attract new jobs.

Mr. Shields noted the tax credits would flow back into public infrastructure, Western and the Jackson County Sports Authority, unlike similar proposals that benefit private companies.
“The other thing that is attractive about this proposal is a fairly rapid (boost) of the economy,” he said. “This gets people working pretty quickly.”

The training facility’s construction is slated for spring 2009.
Jimmy Myers contributed to this report. He can be reached at jimmym@npgco.com.

Alyson E. Raletz can be reached at alysonraletz@npgco.com. R.J. Cooper can be reached at rjcooper@npgco.com.

12-12-2008, 12:00 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $2879627 VARSITY	Chiefs ready to move training camp back to St. Joe. http://www.stjoenews.net/news/2008/d...western/?local Chiefs ready to invest $10M to bring camp to Western State board will vote on issue Tuesday by R.J. Cooper, by Alyson E. Raletz Friday, December 12, 2008 Only one vote separates St. Joseph from possibly landing the Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp. The Chiefs have committed in writing to move their summer training camp from Wisconsin to Missouri Western State University — including a $10 million donation — pending the success of a $25 million state tax credit proposal, according to Missouri Development Finance Board documents that were released Thursday. “I never ever gave up hope that this could happen,” said Sen. Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, a longtime advocate for the camp’s relocation to St. Joseph who’s been involved in recent negotiations. “I view this as something that could be transformational for our community.” The board meets Tuesday in Jefferson City, Mo., to consider awarding its tax credits “to leverage a $50 million contribution from the Chiefs” for improvements to Arrowhead Stadium and other ball park common areas. If the deal is sealed, the Chiefs would donate $10 million from the sale of the tax credits to Western for a new indoor practice facility — the future site of the training camp in 2010 and for the next 10 years as long as the facilities are constructed. The proposal is a joint venture from the Chiefs and the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority, which owns Arrowhead. The Chiefs staged their training camp outside of Missouri for the past 19 years. River Falls, Wis., has served as the Chiefs’ host in recent years despite repeated attempts from St. Joseph officials to attract the camp, most recently in 2006. Several Western officials declined to discuss the proposal to relocate the camp to St. Joseph. Dirck Clark, president of Western’s governing board, cited legal reasons. “I am aware it’s out there,” Western athletic director Dave Williams said of the proposal. “Being in the middle of a negotiation, we think it’s best to keep those negotiations with us at this point as much as possible. He added, “We’ve always been open to bringing the Chiefs to St. Joe for the good of the community and the good of Missouri Western itself,” though Williams wouldn’t comment on the current situation or any specifics. Back in September, Western bonded the Max Experience money (a student fee that raises about $500,000 annually) for $6.3 million to renovate the university’s athletic facilities. At the time, Mr. Williams said he planned to begin the $3.45 million upgrades to Spratt Stadium before winter. But the renovation on the visitors’ side of Spratt remains in the conceptual phase. According the proposal, the new football training facilities would total $13.45 million, which would equal the Chiefs’ $10 million donation and Western’s original renovation plans. Denny Thum, the Chiefs’ executive vice president, didn’t return a News-Press phone message Thursday. Mr. Shields said the entire offer for Western hinges on the outcome of Tuesday’s meeting. “If the tax credits don’t happen, there’d be question as to whether the additional investment would happen,” Mr. Shields said. “The (openness) issue is frankly because it’s not a completed deal.” The proposal comes a week after Gov.-elect Jay Nixon called for a review of the effectiveness of all state tax credits and their ability to attract new jobs. Mr. Shields noted the tax credits would flow back into public infrastructure, Western and the Jackson County Sports Authority, unlike similar proposals that benefit private companies. “The other thing that is attractive about this proposal is a fairly rapid (boost) of the economy,” he said. “This gets people working pretty quickly.” The training facility’s construction is slated for spring 2009. Jimmy Myers contributed to this report. He can be reached at jimmym@npgco.com. Alyson E. Raletz can be reached at alysonraletz@npgco.com. R.J. Cooper can be reached at rjcooper@npgco.com.
Posts: 79,209