The Colts last week announced a 10-year deal to move the team's training camp to Westfield, a suburb of Indianapolis, and the intangibles "have city leaders excited," according to Chris Sikich of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. The Colts will "pay Westfield $653,000 over 10 years, including an upfront payment of $123,000" to get Grand Park Events Center and its four outdoor fields "ready for camp." The city will "receive $53,000 in annual payments" and is "positioned to make an estimated $190,000 per year from parking, food and beverage sales." Westfield Mayor Andy Cook's Chief of Staff Todd Burtron said that the city has a "chance to capitalize on the Colts brand." He added, "For us to have the opportunity to bring the Colts for that length of time will help to serve the entire region." Sikich notes the Colts will rent the 370,000-square-foot complex from July 22 to Aug. 18 and "repair any turf damage when camp is over." The city can "continue to rent the dozens of other fields at the 400-acre sports park." Burtron said that the "going rate to rent that space for four weeks would be about $300,000, compared to the $53,000 the Colts will pay." The Colts are "guaranteeing at least $100,000 annually in parking and concessions sales." The team will "make up the difference if Westfield earns less." Burtron said that the Colts "want to keep a close eye on parking and food fees to ensure training camp is accessible to fans." The Colts "averaged about 10,000 fans on weekends and 6,000 on weekdays" when the camp was at Anderson Univ. from '10-15. Both Westfield and the Colts "think many more will flock to Grand Park" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 9/11).
