Announcing Parkview Field
Parkview Health Steps Up to the Plate
Makes major contribution to Harrison Square Project
Ballpark to be Named “Parkview Field”
Link (City)
“The City of Fort Wayne, Parkview Health and Hardball Capital today announced that Parkview has agreed to become the signature partner for the new downtown Harrison Square development. Parkview has agreed to make an annual commitment of $300,000 per year ($150,000 of which will be contributed directly to the City’s Capital Maintenance and Improvement Fund) for at least the next ten years. The new downtown ballpark will be known as Parkview Field.
“Parkview is making a tremendous investment in this community,” said Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry. “This commitment by one of Fort Wayne’s leading healthcare institutions is a shot in the arm for the success of Harrison Square and the healthy, energizing effect this project will have on our downtown. This is yet another example of Parkview offering its time, talent and financial resources to help improve our community.”
“We are excited about our long-term partnership with Parkview,” said Jason Freier, CEO, Hardball Capital. “There are tremendous opportunities for us to work together to make Harrison Squarea success and to further Parkview’s mission in the community. We would like to thank Parkview for this show of support.”
“Parkview is excited to be a partner in this signature downtown development that is vital for our community’s future,” said Mike Packnett, President and CEO, Parkview Health. “Harrison Square will enhance Fort Wayne’s role as an economic development and quality of life leader. We must strengthen the heart of our community to promote job growth and retention and new business opportunities. As the area’s not-for-profit hospital system, we are committed to the health and wellness of our community and want do to everything possible to have a vibrant Fort Wayne.”
Parkview is a strong partner in the community and in 2007 returned $100 million to the communities it serves to support numerous health and wellness activities that benefit thousands of residents in northeast Indiana.
Parkview’s investment in the Harrison Square project will total $3 million over the ten year initial term. Half of that investment will go directly into the City of Fort Wayne’s Capital Maintenance and Improvement Fund, which will assure that Parkview Field remains a first-class facility and an asset to downtown Fort Wayne and the surrounding community.
In addition to the ballpark being named “Parkview Field,” Parkview Health will receive a seat on the Board of Advisors that oversees both Parkview Field and the employment of the Capital Maintenance and Improvement Fund.
Parkview and the soon-to-be-renamed Fort Wayne Wizards will also be collaborating on numerous health-related initiatives at Parkview Field. They include health and fitness education and activities, blood drives, cholesterol, blood pressure and other health screenings, tobacco cessation, trauma prevention, bicycle safety, and other safety education programs, as well as healthy food choices developed by Parkview nutritionists and the Parkview Heart Institute.
“We look forward to teaming up with Parkview and tapping into their resources to make the experience at Parkview Field the best in minor league baseball and to deliver on the promise of the new facility as an asset for the entire community,” said Mike Nutter, Fort Wayne Wizards General Manager.
Later this fall the logo for Parkview Field will be unveiled to the community, and following that, permanent signage identifying the ballpark will be erected on each of the ballpark’s major entrances as well as directional signage around downtown and on major arteries leading into the city. Parkview Health will also be designated as the ballclub’s “Official Hospital Partner.”
The first official game at Parkview Field will be April 16, 2009 at 7 PM. Parkview Field has also been awarded the 2010 Midwest League All-Star Game.
Parkview Health is a not-for-profit, community-based health system that serves northeast Indiana, western Ohio and southern Michigan. Parkview is home to the region’s only Verified Level II Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center. Additional services include the Samaritan Flight Program, Parkview Heart Institute, the Orthopaedic Hospital at Parkview North, a Certified Stroke Center, Women’s & Children’s Hospital, Outpatient Services Center and Comprehensive Cancer Center. As the area’s largest employer with more than 6,000 full and part-time employees, Parkview’s mission is to provide quality health services and improve the health of the communities it serves.”
So, a local non-profit pledges $300,000 per year for 10 years to name the unnecessary new baseball field – AGAIN – this project is NOT being sponsored by any organization that operates to make a profit EXCEPT a company from Atlanta, Georgia! Just who is getting the shaft? Fort Wayne residents – IT IS US! How in the heck can the board of Parkview approve something like this? Do you remember all the contributions that were made to Parkview during the building at the State Street address? Some of the rooms had the donors names on the walls! Isn’t there some rule about non-profits doing things like this? Can’t they lose their non-profit status because of unwise spending of their income?
I have been informed that SDI has granted the Wallen Baseball Complex the money to put lights on three or four of their diamonds – So Busse and company are interested in supporting beginning baseball – but, apparently not supporting an unnecessary new ball park for an Atlanta owner! Does this tell you something? It sure tells me.
John – I don’t get the issue with it being a non-profit. Why does this really matter ? All a non-profit means is that profits (which are made) are re-invested into the company, employees, and potentially the community. Now you want to penalize Parkview and have them lose their non-profit status ? These sour grapes comments show your lack of credibility.
I think everyone should be happy that they found a sponsor.
John-
What took you so long to post something negative? Steel Dynamics is a longtime sponsor of the Wizards. Also, Parkview reinvests Millions every year in our community-now you determine how they do that? Have you been outraged by the hundreds of thousands they spend each year on tv? Radio? Newspaper Ads? and other causes or are you only outraged by this since you don’t like the stadium?
Stan – Non-profits pay NO PROPERTY TAXES- they are exempt – so they better spend some of their income on community-benefit items – They don’t get a bill from the city of Fort Wayne when our fire trucks make a run – they don’t pay a cent for support of our schools (but all their employees HAVE to have at least a high school education) – they don’t pay a cent to the city when our police have to make a run to quell a disturbance at one of their facilities et al et al et al
I personally think that Parkview’s board should be fired for this decision and YES their non-profit status should be questioned.
And to #1 Fan: I assume that SDI did not see any reason to bid on the naming rights. AND, yes, I am outraged by the amount of money that all health-related organizations are spending on advertizing! And I am outraged by this because it’s another financial method that Hardball Capital is raping the citizens of Fort Wayne – NOBODY BUT HARDBALL IS PROFITING FROM THIS BOONDOGGLE!!
We wouldn’t be the first…to have a non profit “screw” us taxpayers over
Alexian Field (Schaumburg, IL) — Naming rights to Alexian Brothers Health Network
Silver Cross Field (Joliet, IL) — Silver Cross Hospital signed a 10-year pact (with an option for 5 additional years) at $150,000 per year.
I advise you John to go to the next Parkview board meeting and bring forth these concerns. See how fast you get laughed out of there. Then send emails and make phone calls to every non-profit that sends advertising money to any minor/major league team and lecture them about how they SHOULD spend their money. That ought to keep you busy for a while.
John,
What should outrage you about Parkview is not the decision to put 3mm into the ballpark, of which 1.5mm will go to the city to offset some cost, but the fact that they are non-profit and moving the facility to Dupont Rd. to get away from the uninsure patients. I don’t care how Parkview spends there money, except when it screws the people that need their services the most. Parkview should have its status revoked not because of Parkview Field, but because of Parkview North.
Parkview’s Packnett thinks that a “walk-off home run” is when they hit one and then leave the city with their ball & bat.