Susie Byrd on the Ballpark

There was this story from KVIA about the ballpark:

It is year five for the El Paso Chihuahuas, and we are a long way removed from the contentious fights of 2012 before the ballpark was approved.

But the ballpark is still a long way from being paid for, and the numbers are constantly evolving.

To this day, taxpayer money is still being used to pay off the debt incurred building the ballpark. So far, the City of El Paso has had to dip into its general fund and use about $2.2 million in taxpayer money over the course of four seasons of Chihuahuas baseball.

The City also recently approved $1.2 million in capital improvements to Southwest University Park. The City will have to foot that bill. Part of that will be paid for in rent MountainStar Sports Group, which owns the Chihuahuas, pays to the City each year. But not all of it will be covered by rent payments.

Current estimates have the City dipping into the general fund for another $480,000. That would bring the total in taxpayer support to around $2.7 million. MountainStar maintains this was expected from the beginning.

Here are some other numbers: the El Paso Chihuahuas are averaging 7,407 fans per game this year, the lowest of any of their five years. Their peak year was 2015, when their attendance averaged 8,154 per game. It’s been a steady slide since then.

I wonder if a steady decline in attendance was also “expected from the beginning.”

I’m old enough to remember when the Hotel Occupancy Tax was going to pay for the ballpark. That was back when they were selling it to us. But like they say, “the numbers are constantly evolving.”

So are the stories they’re telling.

[Susie Byrd says] that the ballpark isn’t just about dollars and cents, but about pride in the community.

“I have a really good friend of mine who’s about my age who said, ‘You know what, I feel like this is the first generation of El Pasoans who are really proud to be from here.'”

See, that’s the problem. We let people who don’t know how to love El Paso make decisions for El Paso. They want to put the city in a prom dress and get her to start turning tricks on a street corner.

El Paso doesn’t have to wear a prom dress for me to love her. I loved her when she wore boots and blue jeans.

8 comments

  1. “To this day, TAXPAYER money is still being used to pay off the debt incurred building the ballpark.

    So far, the City of El Paso has had to dip into its general fund and use about $2.2 million in taxpayer money over the course of four seasons of Chihuahuas baseball.” A Quote from SUSIE BYRD ON THE BALLPARK!

    [Susie Byrd says] that the ballpark isn’t just about dollars and cents, but about pride in the community. “I have a really good friend of mine who’s about my age who said, ‘You know what, “”(((I feel like this is the first generation of El Pasoans who are really proud to be from here”””))))”

    So what the hell was the “El Paso Diablos” ball team all about then???? A good guestion is why did the Diablos have so much more turn out in there day the the losing Chihuahuas with an average turnout of “7407” fans showing up??????

    Way to SLAM Central and the Northeast in statement, thanks for the freaking love for our areas of El Paso Susie!!!

  2. I read this piece three times and one thing stands out. Susie Byrd has a really good friend?

  3. I, too, remember when the Diablos consistently drew good crowds, and nobody minded the long drive out to Cohen Stadium, which was so aptly named for two El Paso baseball names! That wasn’t pride? Sure felt like it.

    1. If you’re coming from most parts of El Paso, or Juarez, Cohen Stadium is probably closer than the Chihuahuas’ park…and there was plenty of free parking…

  4. Don’t get me going about Susie Byrd, who enthusiastically voted to demolish two Trost buildings over the objections of the Historic Landmark Commission. We thought she was smarter then that, but she has always been bought and sold. She is a pillar of the Escobar-Ortega kabal that seeks to rule and control our City. This is the “progressive” wing of the Democratic Party–the one that is willing to sacrifice our history and culture for their donors’ bloated projects. Rich’s comments are absolutely spot on, as always. What the hell do we care what Susie’s friend thinks about El Paso?

  5. We live in the NE El Paso and frequently drive by the gradually decaying stadium. We look at each other in sadness as we remember the good times we had there. We remember taking our son there, the view and the shade of the Franklins, military night, the $1 game night, $.25 hot dog night, the Dick Poe Diamond Girls, the applause meter and the best game announcer in the West. Now at the new ballpark, how much does it cost to park, see the game, and buy a treat? More than I can afford.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *