National Sports Center Losing $1 Million in Revenue Every Month
The National Sports Center says for every month they are closed, they lose a million dollars in revenue. They have postponed three tournaments and are anxious to get back to a new normal.
“It’s really sad because it’s the fun part of the season,” said Sara Soli, from the National Sports Center. “You get to see kids outside practicing and playing in tournaments. We’ve postponed three soccer tournaments already for the summer, so we’re really anxious to get back to whatever the new normal is.”
However, the largest event for the summer at the Blaine complex is the Target USA Cup. It began in 1987 and attracts teams from other states and countries. In 2019, 1,152 teams from 22 US states and 20 nations came to Blaine to participate.
“Obviously we’re paying attention to travel restrictions,” Soli said. “We’re really working with the CDC and the Department of Health to make a good decision. We know that we have until about mid-May before we have to decide is the tournament a go, a no go, or do we just modify the tournament for 2020?”
Losing the Target Cup would be a major blow to the National Sports Center and for surrounding bars, hotels and restaurants.
“We have a team that connects daily,” Soli said. “We talk to Target on a monthly basis. We’re really trying to be smart about the decisions we make, but obviously we want to celebrate the world’s greatest game of soccer.”
Could be ready by May 4
Soli is hoping things change for the better quickly. Seeing empty fields at the 690-acre venue is odd.
“Obviously we’re following the direction of the governor,” Soli said. “As of today, technically we could open May 4th. Just like everyone else it’s a wait and see game. We wait for his orders. We’ll follow whatever direction he gives us but we really can’t wait to get everybody back on campus.”
To keep tabs on other COVID-19 stories, click here.
Brooklyn Center | Brooklyn Park | Crystal | Golden Valley | Maple Grove | New Hope | Osseo | Plymouth | Robbinsdale
