Constellation Field Exceeds Attendance Projections, Skeeters Attract New OwnersA recent report showed Sugar Land’s Constellation Field exceeded attendance expectations in 2014 by 62 percent, an increase of 20,000 visitors over last year.The $36 million 7,500-seat stadium offers the community more than the opportunity to attend professional minor league baseball. The venue is a year-round community amenity that also offers concerts and community, corporate, private and special events.
A feasibility study performed in 2009 projected average annual attendance for ballgames and non-baseball events of 300,000 visitors. Using this benchmark study data, City planners forecast an annual benefit to the City of $7.7 million or a return of $169 million to the economy over 30 years.Baseball attendance continues to exceed projections and was once again the highest in the Atlantic League. Constellation Field also realized another significant increase in usage for special events in 2014 with more than 98,000 attendees for non-baseball events that included festivals, charity events, sports tournaments, company events and corporate meetings. In 2014, attendance for baseball and non-baseball events was more than 62 percent higher than originally projected.Not only did the Sugar Land Skeeters win the Freedom Division for a second straight year and make it to the Atlantic League championship series for the first time, but their on-field success is translating into the continued success of Constellation Field – and attracting a new owner for the club. Sugar Land City Council approved an ownership change on Oct. 28. Council’s action cleared the way for Houston-area residents Bob and Marcie Zlotnik, who have been one-third minority partners since the first season, to assume 100 percent ownership of SL Baseball, LLC.The Zlotniks’ association with the Skeeters and Constellation Field began when they secured the original naming rights as owners of StarTex Power. Their entrepreneurial expertise includes many years representing and working for sports and entertainment companies.“We are thrilled that the success of our team and stadium has resulted in local ownership,” said Sugar Land Mayor James Thompson. “We are looking forward to working more closely with the Zlotniks and believe their local presence and passion for baseball will be of great benefit to Sugar Land.”The stadium is the result of many years of effort by the City of Sugar Land; its citizens; and a public/private partnership between the City, Johnson Development and Opening Day Partners (ODP). The City worked with ODP in 2010 to bring professional minor league baseball to Sugar Land. Though ODP will no longer own the SL Baseball, LLC affiliate, they will remain liable for all lease obligations with the City.No general fund dollars were spent to create the stadium. Constellation Field was funded with a portion of sales tax revenues that may only be used for economic development purposes. These revenues were funded by the Sugar Land 4B Corporation and are not dependent on ballpark revenues to support the effort. Expenditures by visitors to the stadium generate sales and hotel occupancy taxes that benefit the City and Sugar Land residents.“Marcie and I are incredibly excited to continue our relationship with the Skeeters and to further partner with the entire Sugar Land community,” said Bob Zlotnik. “In just three short years, Constellation Field has become a well-recognized destination entertainment location, and we look forward to it continuing to set the standard for quality professional minor league baseball.”