St. Croix, Virgin Islands
Ballpark Feasibility Analysis
In
September of 2005, Brailsford & Dunlavey
was retained by Coastal Systems International
to serve as the design-build firm's ballpark
consultant for a planned redevelopment project
in St. Croix, Virgin Islands. The island
community was in the midst of a multiple-phased
redevelopment and rehabilitation effort that
included the development of a joint-use
baseball complex with a 4,000-seat, minor
league-caliber baseball park and a 500-seat
youth baseball park. Ultimately, the baseball
complex was intended to anchor an entertainment
destination and serve as the primary stimulus
to attract visitors to the island.
As part
of the exercise, B&D completed a market
analysis examining the unique demographics and
geography of the Virgin Islands, the several
professional-level leagues in Latin America,
and the potential to attract additional
baseball events to St. Croix. A thorough
review of comparable professional and youth
ballparks was completed to identify a
market-responsive facility and detailed
building program. Lastly, a detailed operating
and financial analysis was developed to measure
the performance of the facility and its
economic impacts. The project culminated with
a 5-day community planning charette, during
which B&D advised and interacted with the
community participants on all matters relating
to baseball, including feasibility, design,
facility operation, urban planning, cost, and
economic impact issues.