Unrivaled Sports — the firm that took over the Big League Dreams sports complex a year ago this month — has completed the replacement of turf on all six fields.

It is just a part of $2 million in upgrades the firm that operates 15 sports venues nationwide announced they would undertake over a 2-year period last January when they entered into a lease with the City of Manteca.

Among the future work are renovations for the two restaurants that serve spectators and players at the city-owned complex that includes an indoor sports arena.

The lease, which will expire on Dec. 31, 2049, provides Unrivaled Sports with the option of adding new sports.

 The agreement references the indoor arena as also being utilized for basketball, volleyball, and hockey — three sports had not been offered previously.

The BLD complex was built with city redevelopment agency funds.

The lease was set up in a manner where the city receives annual lease payments based on a percentage of what the operator grosses. 

While 100 percent of the $28 million in RDA funds used to that will not be recouped, the city comes out ahead by avoiding ongoing maintenance and operational costs that include labor.

The first year that cost avoidance was pegged at $170,000.

The operator is also responsible for the wear and tear tab, hence the $2 million investment in upgrades over two years.

By the time 35 years were up, the complex’s operations and maintenance will be avoided as well as much of the original investment would be retrieved.

It should be noted the RDA funding, while levied against properties included within the special assessment district, did not impact the city’s general fund per se,

The money paid back for the lease plus the city’s cost avoidance had they been the operator for 35 years was expected to ultimately exceed $20 million.

That did two three things for the city’s general fund.

*It has resulted in $200,000 to $300,000 in annual revenue from the BLD lease.

*It has avoided $170,000 or so in general fund expenses.

*It did not obligate the city to pay back bonds plus interest given that is a cost the RDA successor agency assumed.

That said, property owners in the RDA assessment which is basically the oldest sections of Manteca, are retiring the $28 million in RDA debt and interest.

The complex opened in September 2007 with six replica Major League Baseball fields, stadium style seating, two concession restaurants with indoor seating overlooking playing fields, an indoor arena, nine batting cages, and a kids play area.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com