Manchester, NH
Ballpark Feasibility Study
Brailsford & Dunlavey was retained by the City of Manchester in December 2002 to identify the feasibility and market support for the development of a new minor league baseball stadium.
B&D's scope of work included a
review of the City's Memorandum of
Understanding with the developer; a strategic
analysis to assess the feasibility of the
project; a detailed market analysis,
identifying the level of demand for sports and
family entertainment within the local market,
as well as the local market's competitive
strength for the attraction and retention of an
AA-level affiliated franchise; and a detailed
financial analysis, including operating cost
estimates, revenue projections, and an economic
and fiscal impact analysis.
The study was intended to assist the City in assessing the financial viability of a minor league team in Manchester and, ultimately, to inform the City's decision to provide financial support for the downtown ballpark project. In addition, the financial analysis would be used to inform the final contractual agreement between the City and the developer.
The new $22 million, 6,500-seat Fisher Cats Ballpark was constructed in time for Opening Day of the 2005 Class AA minor league baseball season.