Johnson County Commission Soccer Reception Wed 2-4 PM...Free Frozen Custard!

SamPierron · Jul 18, 2005

Commissioners Toplikar and Lindstrom invite public to talk soccer and have a cold treat

Johnson County Commissioners John Toplikar and David Lindstrom have announced that they will host an informal reception concerning a proposed professional soccer stadium and facility to be built in a yet-unspecified Johnson County location.

The commissioners are inviting anyone (coaches, players, league directors, etc.) and the general public interested in learning more about the concept.

The reception will be held Wed, July 20, from 2pm to 4pm at the Johnson County Administration Building, 111 S. Cherry, Third floor, in the Board of County Commissioners hearing room.

Commissioners Toplikar and Lindstrom recently secured support from their fellow commissioners in a public vote to help fund an update of the original 2002 feasibility study.

The proposal envisions a 22,000 seat soccer stadium (expandable to 40,000 seats) with an accompanying 30 soccer fields capable of hosting regional and national tournaments on a 500 acre site. The retail component of the complex is projected to facilitate upwards of 1.2 million square feet of retail space.

Commissioner Lindstrom said that he has received numerous phone calls regarding the identity of the unnamed potential team owner of the Wizards who is funding a large share of the study’s cost, along with other questions about the potential use of the proposed Johnson County stadium. He said this would be a great opportunity for the public to learn more.

Commissioner Toplikar said that a professional soccer stadium and team in Johnson County could have a tremendous impact on economic development for the county from the sales taxes it would generate to help fund needed programs in the budget.

The Commissioners said that a break in their schedules this week provided them with the opportunity to host this informational event which they hope will generate public input on the proposal.

Sheridan’s Frozen Custard will be served to the first 200 people attending the event which is being funded by the Commissioner Toplikar and Lindstrom themselves.

Commissioners Toplikar and Lindstrom can continue to be reached in their offices this week at 913-715-5000 if any additional information is needed concerning this event.

BuffloSoldier · Jul 18, 2005

http://kansascity.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2005/07/18/daily11.html

SamPierron · Jul 18, 2005

BuffloSoldier said:

http://kansascity.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2005/07/18/daily11.html
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The part about the local ownership is essentially made up on the part of the writer. It's not impossible that they'll have representatives there, but if so, they aren't going to announce anything. I guess the press release was just a bit inelegantly worded in that regard, and the KCBJ writer took a liberty or two with it.

ockk · Jul 18, 2005

The channel 9 news had the announcement at the 6 o'clock newscast

will try to be there.........and show support

Roush · Jul 18, 2005

I'll be there..

kopiteinkc · Jul 18, 2005

I am gonna take the afternoon off work and be there.

OldFanatic · Jul 18, 2005

Good luck guys! It's good that you have local politician(s) who are supporting this. I wish we had clones of people like that in San Jose.

szazzy · Jul 18, 2005

I'm going to try and make it. Will they have hypothetical stadium renderings?

KCRovert · Jul 19, 2005

For those of us unable to leave the office for the meeting, I expect an immediate and thorough recap of the meeting as soon as one of you makes it to a PC.

Village_Idiot · Jul 19, 2005

I'll be there.

And while I appreciate the free frozen dairy treats, wouldn't it be more approriate to distribute orange wedges after the first hour, and Shasta at the end?

Village_Idiot · Jul 19, 2005

szazzy said:

I'm going to try and make it. Will they have hypothetical stadium renderings?
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Hypothetically, yes - a couple renderings will be on display.

Merlin172 · Jul 19, 2005

Will the ownership group be stepping forward more publicly, or is that the Biz-Journal guy speculating?

StuBentley · Jul 19, 2005

Village_Idiot said:

I'll be there.

And while I appreciate the free frozen dairy treats, wouldn't it be more approriate to distribute orange wedges after the first hour, and Shasta at the end?
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I'm going to do everything I can to be there - which includes weasling out of afternoon meetings. And personally I'd find a few pints of Guinness to be more appropriate, but to each his own.

SamPierron · Jul 19, 2005

Merlin172 said:

Will the ownership group be stepping forward more publicly, or is that the Biz-Journal guy speculating?
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I refer you to earlier in the thread.

Diego Pasley · Jul 19, 2005

Ok folks, here is the email that I just sent to Mr's Lidstrom and Toplikar...their email address' are on the johnson county website for any other out-of-towners that want to show their support.

Good Morning Gentlemen,

I am writing you today in support of your bid to build a soccer specific stadium in Johnson County. As a youth soccer coach and a Kansas City Wizards fan I believe the investment in such a project would be a good investment for your citizens, your county, and the midwest. I live at Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri and my family, friends, and the players I coach all regularly make trips to the K.C. area to attend Wizards matches. I feel that we are not a minority, and that a large number of citizens from throughout the midwest regularly drive 3 or more hours to support both professional and youth soccer in the midwest. Thank you both for your efforts to support soccer, and best of luck to you in all of your future endeavors.

Sincerely,

Scott Pasley
Lake of The Ozarks, MO

Merlin172 · Jul 19, 2005

SamPierron said:

I refer you to earlier in the thread.
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Ah, thanks... somehow I missed your post Sammy.

szazzy · Jul 19, 2005

Diego Pasley said:

Ok folks, here is the email that I just sent to Mr's Lidstrom and Toplikar...their email address' are on the johnson county website for any other out-of-towners that want to show their support.

Good Morning Gentlemen,

I am writing you today in support of your bid to build a soccer specific stadium in Johnson County. As a youth soccer coach and a Kansas City Wizards fan I believe the investment in such a project would be a good investment for your citizens, your county, and the midwest. I live at Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri and my family, friends, and the players I coach all regularly make trips to the K.C. area to attend Wizards matches. I feel that we are not a minority, and that a large number of citizens from throughout the midwest regularly drive 3 or more hours to support both professional and youth soccer in the midwest. Thank you both for your efforts to support soccer, and best of luck to you in all of your future endeavors.

Sincerely,

Scott Pasley
Lake of The Ozarks, MO
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Thanks for all your effort in writing letters. I think mentioning you are an out of towner is always a good idea, because the "tourist" dollars are the real economic impact everybody is looking for.

Merlin172 · Jul 19, 2005

Toplikar is a money guy. He's all about the retail development around the complex. "Tourism dollars" is where it's at for him.

AAGunner3 · Jul 19, 2005

szazzy said:

Thanks for all your effort in writing letters. I think mentioning you are an out of towner is always a good idea, because the "tourist" dollars are the real economic impact everybody is looking for.
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Guess I better write then. I'm good for 2-3 games a year when I come visit my folks.

Merlin172 · Jul 19, 2005

AAGunner3 said:

Guess I better write then. I'm good for 2-3 games a year when I come visit my folks.
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While you're writing letters, make sure you write one to Lamar too, asking him to KEEP HIS WORD.

see this thread for more info: https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=219860

IowaBoy · Jul 20, 2005

Was just wondering how the turnout was at the reception, any new tidbits or anything?

Buzz Killington · Jul 20, 2005

IowaBoy said:

Was just wondering how the turnout was at the reception, any new tidbits or anything?
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Hasn't happened yet, it's today at 2

the_cyclones · Jul 20, 2005

IowaBoy said:

Was just wondering how the turnout was at the reception, any new tidbits or anything?
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... it doesn't start for another hour.

SoccerNutScott · Jul 20, 2005

Turn out was good. The room was pretty full. Don't know as far as head count goes, but all the chairs seemed to be full and there were a lot of people standing at the back of the room. Commissioner Lindstrom addressed the group and talked about their objectives. He introduced Chris Klein and CJ who both talked to the group. He then had the Johnson County Park and Rec Commissioner talk as well as John Toplikar and Kevin Gray. The renderings of the stadium complex were there and looked fantastic. Most of the Big Youth soccer clubs had people in attendance as well. I saw SWUSC/Comets, Kansas Rush, Blue Valley and I am sure there were more. Jim Sheldon and several staff from NSCAA were in attendance too. Kevin Gray mentioned that they would like to house the NSCAA offices in the stadium, similar to what they did with the Basketball Coaches Association in the Sprint Center. Very positive meeting. They did confirm that the study will be done sept 1st. Mentioned the anonymous group and that the fronted 33% of the fee for the study. Still know mention of who they are. Two TV stations in attendance as well as Bob Luder from the Star. Action News was one station, not sure who the other was. When Lindstrom started thinking the Mayors from the local JOCO cities like Olathe, Lenexa, OP, and Shawnee he asked if they were in attendance, and I was surprised that none were. That was the only downside I saw of the meeting.

hartley · Jul 20, 2005

Thanks for the recap.