Throughout the games storied history, children and adults alike have fantasized about being under the lights of a professional baseball diamond. As a player or as a fan, the majesty of Americas major, minor and professional league parks is something even the most fervent sports hater cant deny. And last week, the York County Industrial Development Authority announced that a few lucky non-profits would get the chance to channel that majesty into moolah, with its non-profit community events program.
Over the course of two informational meetings, the YCIDA unveiled a program that would allow York County non-profit organizations the opportunity to throw fund-raising events at York’s Sovereign Bank Stadium rent-free. The plan, organized through a partnership between the York Revolution–York Countys Atlantic League of Professional Baseball franchise that plays at Sovereign Bank Stadium–and the YCIDA, would also award winning non-profits with a stadium marketing package worth more than $5,000, in the hopes of creating a successful annual event.
The goal is to have the stadium enlarge its presence in the community as a gathering place, says YCIDA chairman John Krout. Hopefully, if the events attract a lot of people, raising a good bit of money for the non-profit, we would love to see an event like that continue.
Not only will the program create visibility for Yorks non-profit sector but YCIDA hopes the events will create visibility and adoration for Sovereign Bank Stadium, a park created and designed to be a community center and economic driver for the region. Community partnership, Krout says, has always been the mission of this neighborhood ballpark.
From the very beginning of the lease negotiation, this stadium was designed to encourage non-profits and community organizations to utilize the stadium, says Krout. A stadium is a $34 million investment so, while there is no local tax dollars in the investment, the management of the team and the York Development Authority agreed from the get-go on the importance of the stadium to the community and examined what it could do to help community groups.
Source: John Krout, YCIDA
Writer: John Steele
