5 minute read
Facility Spotlight
Matt Trnian, Grand Park Sports Campus
What is your title and how long have you held the position with the Grand Park Sports Complex?
Director; since January 2022. I have been involved with the campus since May of 2014 (essentially when the park opened). I began as an intern and progressed through various Operational positions.
What is your current organizational structure?
The City of Westfield owns and operates the facility. We operate as a for-profit entity that is self-funded through revenues driven from the campus. No tax dollars are used for operating expenses.
What led you to sports tourism and facility management?
I had a love of sports that started at a young age. Being a three-sport athlete (football, basketball and baseball) in high school helped me appreciate the personal growth that comes from the organization of sports. Upon entering college at Kent State University, I fell in love with the Sports Administration course work that taught me the business side of sport. My passion for facility management was confirmed upon the completion of my internship at Grand Park and continues today.
How are you working with your partners to grow the offerings of the facility (concessions, Wi-Fi, more corporate events, festivals, etc.)?
We have proven to be a great facility in hosting events in the diamond sports and field sports segments of our business. We have truly embraced the non-sporting business that has come our way.
We have made several upgrades to our facility to accommodate the new business.
What does the facility cater to? What are your “bread and butter” sports?
Primarily youth sports, but have grown to include collegiate and professional sports in baseball, softball, soccer, football, lacrosse and ultimate.
Three event rights holders have offices at Grand Park. How has their inclusion helped push the overall book of business Grand Park has to offer?
We have several stakeholders that have contributed to the continuous success of Grand Park. Bullpen Tournaments, Indiana Soccer and the Indiana Fire Juniors have played a large part in growing the overall event offerings hosted at Grand Park. Each of these organizations have worked to grow existing events while looking to create new events to be hosted at Grand Park.
How many weeks a year is the facility currently scheduled? Do you have blackout dates for one reason or another?
We operate the campus year-round. Certain holidays have not been booked for specific reasons, but we operated 359 days of the 2021 calendar year.
The facility is really “Mecca” for sports tourism, but are there any expansion plans?
We have a vision of continued growth, not only with the addition of new events, but with capital improvements. We are currently doing an evaluation of adding stadium seating to two of our fields on campus. We are also looking to add new unique event opportunities to our event portfolio.
You began as an intern and worked your way up through the ranks to the facility’s Director, what have been your biggest challenges in tackling the new role?
One of the largest hurdles has been navigating some of the challenges that have come from existing agreements. We have some long-term agreements that have been in place since the park opened that were instrumental in getting the park opened, but have provided challenges with the current growth of the campus.
In what ways are you and the facility working to better the experience for the Olympic movement?
Our goal is to provide world-class playing surfaces for all athletes. We believe by doing this, it creates an environment that is suitable for premier athletes.
What’s the feeling that you want athletes to take away from visiting and competing at Grand Park?
We would like all athletes and their families to walk away with the gratitude that they played at the best sports complex in America. This overall experience is more than time on the field, but extends to the experience within the community.
You must see tremendous upside to working with the Indianapolis Colts?
One of the projects that I have taken great pride in has been our relationship with the Indianapolis Colts. Working closely with the Colts on their annual Training Camp has proven to be a heavy lift, but a rewarding one. Each year, we have worked to expand the relationship and strive to host the best training camp in the NFL. This continues today as we are evaluating future facility enhancements that would provide a benefit to the Colts during the training camp time-period and all other events/ visitors throughout the bulk of the year.
Where would you most like to live?
In a beautiful home that sits on a golf course where I can live comfortably with my family while having the ability to leisurely play a round of golf when time allows.
What’s the most prized possession you have in your office?
Front page of the Cleveland Plain Dealer from June 20, 2016 when the Cleveland Cavaliers won the 2016 NBA Championship. I grew up in Cleveland and the title broke a 52-year Championship drought for the city. Was able to watch Game 7 on Father’s Day with my Dad… A special moment!
What do you enjoy doing outside of work, what are your hobbies?
I enjoy family time most! I have three kids that I love being a father to. I am especially excited to coach my kids in T-Ball this spring. I also enjoy keeping up with my favorite sports teams and visiting new venues.
What is your favorite sporting event annually?
Indianapolis Colts Training Camp at Grand Park. Super Bowl.
