A group of investors ended the county’s debate over the fate of the Sports at the Beach complex last week, finalizing a buyout of Richard Derrickson, the former majority owner of the sports complex, which is reportedly worth about $7.4 million. The deal included land transactions.
Nick DelCampo, a retired Rehoboth Beach businessman and original investor in the 13-field, baseball/softball complex, was one part of the group that completed the deal on March 1. Because of the purchase, baseball and softball tournaments will begin at the complex later this month, as planned.
“Sports have always been very important to me,” DelCampo said. “I just get such a high when I go out there and see 1,000 kids playing ball. I just get very emotional that because of our efforts this is happening.”
Some 36 baseball teams have registered to participate in the first youth tournament of the year at the 95-acre complex, on March 24 and March 25. Delaware State University’s softball team will host 16 other Division I-A softball teams there next weekend. Both events will continue as originally planned, despite the question marks formerly surrounding the facility, which sits adjacent to the Sussex County Airport on Route 9.
“It feels pretty good,” said Pete Townsend, who has been the facility manager in Georgetown since the facility’s 2003 opening. “We’re just reorganizing right now. It feels good to at least know where we’re going and get started again.”
Sussex County Land Trust officials put a spotlight on the issue early last month by asking Sussex County Council to cosign a loan and pay $3 million over 10 years to help the foundation purchase the property. County officials called that plan unrealistic but considered buying the property for about $7.5 million. Citing the tremendous investment and other recreation programs in need of Sussex County funds, Councilman George Cole (R-4th) called the possibility “outrageous.”
County officials called the potential purchase a “dead issue” last week, pointing to a lack of consensus and a possible private deal, which has since come to pass.
“At this point in time, we have not been able to come to an agreement that would satisfy the owners and the council,” said David Baker, Sussex County administrator. “The consideration was either not get involved or look at purchase. There are some concerns first of all that it is a very large investment.”
According to the Delaware Tourism Office, Sports at the Beach adds roughly $8.4 million annually to the region’s economy. Some 33 tournaments were held there last year and more than 80,000 locals and visitors participate in events at the complex each year, officials said at the Nov. 6 meeting.
But, despite its popularity, the facility has been operating in debt since its inception, due to an initial loan to renovate the property, DelCampo said. He said the facility is still about $4.8 million in debt. Officials hope changes — such as the addition of three-day tournaments to utilize the fields when they have historically remained empty — will help cover the shortfall.
“It’s going to be tight this first year,” said DelCampo, “(but) with the changes, I think it’s going to be profitable.”
Georgetown’s Sports at the Beach complex comprises seven 300-foot fields and six 200-foot fields, a pro shop where visitors can buy pictures and merchandise, four dorms, a pool, an arcade and other recreational areas including fishing ponds and a playground.
It hosts baseball and softball camps, and dozens of tournaments annually, for a range of participants from collegiate-level baseball and softball teams to teams of those 8 or younger.