PHOTO BY 1221 PHOTOGRAPHY
Jamie Toole and Melissa Gaynor are managers and partial owners of the Lucky Horseshoes. The couple says Robin Roberts Stadium, where the Horseshoes play, is in desperate need of upgrades if it is to succeed as a sporting and entertainment venue.
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TURN OVER STADIUM
I find it disappointing to the point of exasperation that the ownership of the Lucky Horseshoes has to resort to begging the community to pressure the Springfield Park District to live up to an agreement they signed decades ago when they assumed control of the ballpark (and associated property tax revenue) from the city’s former parks and recreation department (“Baseball stadium may get new owner,” July 24). This ownership group is doing all they can to provide family-friendly, enjoyable entertainment in a historic space that could be a jewel for the community rather than a source of seeming irritation for the Park District.
I speak as a fan and as a host family that has taken in 11 players while they’re here playing for the team for the last eight seasons, and I can see the difference this new ownership group is making. They have quickly developed a league-wide reputation for taking care of the players as well as the visiting teams, pushing the envelope on energy and excitement at the games, emphasizing local products in the concessions and bringing in nationally known players and celebrities for special events. They spent several hundred thousand dollars to put in a state-of-the-art scoreboard, and they’ve done all that they can to put a brighter face on a canvas that is clearly lacking.
Jamie Toole and the ownership team see the potential of the historic Robin Roberts Stadium and are ready to invest substantially in the facility if the Park District will just get out of the way. For an organization whose recent planning documents clearly state they do not want to be in the ballpark business, they sure seem to be doing all they can to stand in the way of moving on from it. The Park District is making it clear that getting the ballpark out of their hands has to happen or it won’t be long before another baseball team leaves and it looks just like Chamberlain – only right along a brand-new road and overpass and right next to the new Lanphier High School football stadium.
What the ‘Shoes have done in a few short years is impressive, and the plans for the future are even more so. Hopefully we as a community can reap the benefits of their gift of energy and their appreciation for the ballpark and baseball in the Springfield area.
Steve Schoeffel
Springfield
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GO WEST
The city should invest in a state-of-the-art baseball stadium near Scheels and possibly draw in a minor league team.
Dave Hood
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
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SHOW ME THE MONEY
Does this mean Springfield Park District taxpayers won’t have to pay $500,000 annually to maintain Robin Roberts Stadium? How about rebating that money back to them?
Evan Mahan
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
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SOLAR WORKS FOR SOME
I would never say solar is for everyone (“Illinois bet on solar to meet its climate goals. Trump has the industry in his crosshairs,” July 17). It is expensive and can be a frustrating six months of your life, depending on the carrier you are dealing with. Everyone has to look at their own return on investment and determine if solar is right for them. Ultimately, we paid almost $65,000 and over the next seven to eight years we will be above the break-even point, hopefully. We are not planning on moving, so even if it takes a little longer its no skin off our backs. My electric bill went from $650 a month minimum with CWLP to now $80 maximum for electric, water/sewer and recycling fees.
With the cost of oil and gas currently being so low, you’re going to see U.S.-based operations grind to a stop. Companies aren’t going to drill and lose money.
Mike Shipman
Via Facebook.com/Illinoistimes
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IT’S A SHAM
Six months after the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law, inflation was 9%. All these climate change grifters you choose to quote are from the same cabal.
Ted Harvatin
Springfield
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DON’T BLAME GOP
Regional universities such as Western Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Eastern Illinois University and Southern Illinois University Carbondale are all about to be shuttered. People are leaving Illinois at unprecedented rates. Yes, it’s the six-month-old Republicans in office at the federal level (“Illinois braces for impact of federal cuts,” July 17). What a joke.
Steve Smith
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes