Big League Dreams closes after nearly 20 years in Redding. Future of facility is uncertain

Editor's note: This story has been updated with a statement of Kevin Flora of Big League Dreams.

Big League Dreams abruptly closed Wednesday night, ending a nearly two-decade-long run that in recent years was plagued by problems with maintenance and poor field conditions.

The city of Redding announced the closure Thursday afternoon in a news release that said there will be a special meeting of the City Council at 5:30 p.m. on Monday. “The meeting will provide an opportunity for public comment and discussions on the future of the facility,” the news release said.

Redding Community Services Director Travis Menne said they spoke to Big League Dreams ownership Wednesday and that nothing was said at that time that the park would be closing.

“This morning with everyone else,” Menne said when asked when the city found out. “We were notified in an informal way and I think we are still waiting on the formal notice. It’s just kind of a quick situation and we are doing what we can here.”

Big League Dreams opened with much fanfare in August 2004. The multi-use baseball, softball and roller hockey facility in east Redding was hailed as a public-private partnership to bring a much-needed community sports complex to the area.

The facility boasted replicas of Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium, Wrigley Field and Pawtucket Field. But due to what players and parents called poor and unsafe playing conditions , the facility had fallen under public scrutiny in recent years.

The sports complex sold in 2022 to TC Sports Group, which vowed to make repairs and other improvements to the facility.

Those improvements included:

• New sand volleyball courts
• The exterior of all the buildings will get new paint
• New graphics on the replica ballfields
• New wind screen on the minor league outfields
• Netting throughout the park
• Outdoor patio areas.

Menne said some work had been done, but the major upgrades had yet to be completed.

“I’d say dollar value is low,” he said when asked what has been done at the park. “Paint, routine maintenance, things like that. But the big-ticket items like the fields, those were not done — not 100% even close.”

In an emailed statement to the Record Searchlight, Kevin Flora of Big League Dreams said:

"The decision to transfer control stems from the location’s smaller population base, which has presented challenges that make it difficult to sustain a business model inclusive of everything that is required in this industry.

We have immensely enjoyed working with the City of Redding and our loyal employees, along with the community and its culture, but have determined that it is best to remove our involvement at this time.

We wish everyone involved the very best and consider it a privilege to have managed the ballpark as a cherished community resource for 20 years.

As part of the change, Big League Dreams is working with the city to ensure a seamless transfer."

While Menne was surprised by the timing of the closure, he was not surprised that the park closed. “We just knew. We have been having trouble out there and things were not improving, so more like reading the tea leaves. We had a rocky road and things were not getting smoother,” he said.

Big League Dreams did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

At Monday’s special meeting, the city will discuss terminating its contract with Big League Dreams, Menne said.

Menne couldn’t say how long the park will be closed or who will take over the operations. He said everything will be discussed and he did not rule out the city taking over the operation of the facility.

“It’s definitely an option, but that would again be something that would come from direction of the (city) council,” Menne said. “Staff would have to come up with a business plan and all that.”

David Benda covers business , development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. He’s part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on X, formerly Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 530-338-8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Big League Dreams closes after nearly 20 years in Redding. Future of facility is uncertain