IT’S TIME TO VOTE
FREE SUBSCRIPTION
GPS marketing strategy working PAGE 4
An edition of the East Valley Tribune
THEMESATRIBUNE.COM
INSIDE
This Week IT’S TIME TO VOTE
GILBERTSUNNEWS.COM
FREE ($1 OUTSIDE OF GILBERT) | GilbertSunNews.com
Sunday, September 18, 2022
Money woes ringing EV sports park’s bell BY SCOTT SHUMAKER GSN Staff Writer
B
ell Bank Park in Mesa needs a grand slam this fall. After opening in February to much fanfare, revenue for the destination 320acre sports complex’s first six months of operation fell short of projections. The complex failed to generate profits in its opening months, and in August, Legacy Cares, the nonprofit owner of the park, slashed its revenue forecast for the year by
more than half. Summer business was especially disappointing, prompting Bell Bank Park to modify its business model to be more of a seasonal operation than the year-round venue originally pitched to investors. In order to hit even its scaled-down revenue targets and make next year’s loan repayments due to its institutional investors, Legacy Cares is counting on a dramatic increase in income once cooler weather arrives. The project’s principals have committed to contributing $7.9 million out of pocket to
help cover the loan payment due in January 2023 and say they will kick in more if necessary. During an Aug. 30 disclosure call with investors, representatives for the park’s creditors asked Legacy Cares leadership pointed questions about the park’s ability to start generating greater revenue. Chad Miller, CEO of Legacy Sports – the entity that manages the park for the nonprofit Legacy Cares – told the Tribune that
see BELL page 16
Hoarding nightmare plagues Val Vista Lakes
IT’S TIME TO VOTE COMMUNITY. ........ 21 Guardian angel helps EV trio’s foster kids mission.
CHANDLERNEWS.COM
SPORTS................. 30 Perry athlete’s mom is school’s athletic director. COMMUNITY........................................21 BUSINESS.............................................26 SPORTS................................................. 30 GETOUT.................................................36 CLASSIFIEDS...................................... 40
BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor
V
al Vista Lakes resident Jeff Sloan says the junk slowly crept in over the years at his neighbor’s house across the street until it began to resemble a “landfill.” Floor lamps, chandeliers, plastic buckets and other knick-knacks on the front porch, soon spread to piles of odds and ends and discarded furniture in the front yard and driveway. The backyard was already packed. “It slowly progressed over the 20 years since we moved in and Susan moved in,” Sloan said of neighbor Susan Wellman. “My wife and her were friends, like sisters. It’s just been a strain on the relationship.” Finally, in March 2020, Sloan had enough and went to his homeowners association for help. “They were already getting the wheels in motion at the time,” he
YOUR EAST VALLEY
HOME LOAN SPECIALIST!
see HOARDING page 18
Leanna Gray NMLS #1673286
Mortgage Loan Originator www.leannagrayloan.com
Neighbors on a Val Vista Lakes cul de sac and the HOA have waged a twoyear battle to have homeowner Susan Wellman rid her property of countless items she has been storing in her backyard, on her driveway and other areas in front of her home. (David Minton/GSN Staff Photographer)
Get $250 off closing costs NMLS #ID 409001