THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 11, 1996 TAG: 9601110471
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM AND KAREN WEINTRAUB, STAFF WRITERS
LENGTH: Long : 105 lines
Norfolk officials said Wednesday they are willing to help fund a $400,000 renovation of Foreman Field for the Pirates, but added a caveat that could be fatal for the Canadian Football League team.
After meeting for 95 minutes with Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf, Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim said: ``The city of Norfolk is not going to do this by itself, but if the city of Virginia Beach wants to join us ... then we'd be willing to do that,'' Fraim said. ``The question is, what does Virginia Beach want us to do?''
The answer appears to be nothing.
Louis R. Jones, one of the most influential Virginia Beach City Council members and an avid football fan, said he doesn't support the idea of using Virginia Beach taxpayer money to renovate Foreman Field.
``I don't think it's a very good idea,'' said Jones, who did not attend the meeting. ``I don't think it's going to be a permanent fixture in the community and I personally would be very hesitant to support it.
``I haven't heard what they (supporters) have to say, but just from what I have read, I'm not particularly inclined for the city to put money in it,'' he said. ``I just don't think it'll be a lasting thing.''
If the cities decline to fund the renovation it could be a fatal blow for the Pirates, who have relocated from Shreveport, La., to Hampton Roads. The team has said the $400,000 in improvements are necessary to bring the 59-year-old stadium up to minimum CFL standards, and that it can't afford to pay for the renovation.
Pirates president Lonie Glieberman said the team will mount an intensive educational effort to persuade Virginia Beach officials.
``We look forward to sitting down with each and every member of the Virginia Beach City Council who is concerned about the Pirates,'' he said. ``We believe we will be a positive part of this community and want to get that message to each of them.
``One out of 20 visitors to Virginia Beach comes from Canada. We can bring a great deal of recognition to this community in Canada.''
Fraim said he expects Norfolk and Virginia Beach to give the Pirates an answer within two weeks. ``Maybe less than that,'' he said.
CFL commission Larry Smith said the sooner the bettter.
``We made everyone there aware of our timetable,'' said Smith, who on a visit to Hampton Roads in early December asked officials to decide on the renovation funds by early January.
``I would say it's time to get this done.''
Virginia Beach City Council is expected to take up the Pirates request Jan. 23. Norfolk's City Council likely will discuss the issue on Jan. 16.
Oberndorf, who on Tuesday said there are ``too many unanswered questions'' about the Pirates to endorse funding from her city, said after Wednesday's meeting: ``I still have the same concerns.''
Meanwhile, W.W. Harrison, a Norfolk attorney who is one of Virginia Beach's most sports-oriented City Council members, reiterated his previously stated opposition to funding the renovation for the Pirates.
A source close to the Norfolk City Council confirmed Fraim's assessment that Virginia Beach must participate for the funding to be approved.
``If Virginia Beach doesn't go along, I don't think it will fly,'' the source said. ``If they do go along, it will happen. The ball is in Virginia Beach's court.''
Fraim said Wednesday's meeting, which included Norfolk economic director Bob Smithwick, Virginia Beach economic director Donald Maxwell and Virginia Beach city manager James K. Spore, touched on other issues, such as cooperation on building sports facilities.
``We'd like to cooperate with Virginia Beach in a whole range of ways, and I think the feeling is mutual,'' he said. ``We're trying to find ways to cooperate, especially in the areas of professional sports and facilities.''
Fraim said Norfolk has asked for Virginia Beach's help because the Pirates likely will move to that city. Foreman Field is inadequate as a permanent home for a CFL team and a new stadium, costing perhaps $40 million, would be needed in three or four years, the Pirates have said.
``Eventually (area cities) will be called upon to build another facility in another city,,'' he said. ``... If so, we'd would want to help make that happen. It would have to be a regional effort. ... So what we're trying to do is to gauge the interest in our sister cities, especially Virginia Beach.''
Fraim said he hopes the state of Virginia and other Hampton Roads cities will join in funding the renovation to Foreman Field, which is owned by Old Dominion University.
``I think we would want as many partners in that effort as possible, but I think it's going to take leadership,'' he added. ``If the cities of Norfolk and Virginia Beach can come together to provide that leadership, my belief is that the rest of the region will want to get on board.''
State funding ``would be up to the governor's office,'' he added. ``But it's a state facility. I think some participation by the state would be appropriate and should be significant.''
Fraim, who sources say is in favor of funding the Foreman Field renovation, also sounded a cautionary note.
``The cities of Norfolk and Virginia Beach want to make sure that if we come together on something, it's something we can take some pride in and that it will succeed,'' he said.
``The issue is still up for discussion as to whether Canadian football offers that chance for success here. . . . One of the issues we talked about is whether or not this is the sort of venture we want to start with.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim...
Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf...
by CNB