Wasco County to take a deeper look at sports complex business plan
By Tom Peterson
Wasco County has contracted with Hunden Strategic Partners, which is performing an economic and feasibility study for a new indoor and/or outdoor sports facility in The Dalles.
The discussion will be limited to the idea of whether the sports facility is economically viable and what the needs are for the local community.
“What do we need here,” asked County Administrator who foolishly answered his phone while on vacation today, March 14. “Can it do double duty for the school? if it can and what are the needs of the school. This is a new high school-type conversation - how do we all work together?”
Business owners, hoteliers, restaurant owners and sports organizations have been invited to the Wednesday, March 22 meeting.
“Is there a business case that provides both revenues to the facility as well as economic benefit the community?” queried Wasco County Commissioner Scott Hege.
That is the question.
Hege said he would not be participating in the meeting. Rather the meeting will be conducted and a report will then be later presented to the County Commissioners for discussion.
Hunden Strategic Partners will get a feel for the market area, gain an understanding of local short- and long-term objectives, and garner insight into the current, unmet, and future needs of the County, the gorge community and the region as it relates to a sports complex.
