Evening star., 1947-01-10
| Siadiums in West Pay,
|East's Liabilities,
Survey DiscIoses
BY n. Asseeiot.d Pros.

NE" o1k1A, OdiA.- AV.--sVltAl du
the talk Of building or enlarging
athletic stadiums soon as materials
are available, cities planning such
projects should study financial
records of the larger municipal
plants already in operation
A survey conducted by the As
sociated Press pointed UP today at
least one lesson to be noted with
caution: To operate a municipal
stadium at a profit you must have
attractions sutf1cient in quality and
quantity to keep the turnstiles click
ing.
In the West, where weather condi-
tions are more favorable for out
door spectacles the year around.
the big bowls make money, this
survey showed, but those in the
East generally do not.
Philadeiphia's Municipal Stadium,
for instance, was used only eight
times last year and brought in a
total OF $35,870. Operating costs
were $39,449, leaving a deficit of
$3,579. It was built in 1926 at a
cost Of $4,000, 900 and now Is valued
at $4,227,000 1t was designed to
seat $4,000, but has held as many
as 100000 for the Army-Navy foot
ball game, and it accommodated
$4,000 for the Dempsey-Tunney
fight in 1926.
Coast Stadiums Paw.
BY contrast, the Los Angeles
Municipal Stadium was used about
IS times last year with net profit
estimated at $2500O0. Attendance
for the year exceeded 100000, in
cluding some 1200, 900 at % foot
ball games. This stadium was built
in 1923 for 81, ,9O0.0 900, with seating
capacity of 101,516. 1t never has
been operated at loss.
The Rose Bowl at Pasadena, built
in 1922 for 100000, was used about
40 times last year and drew 180, 600
persons, half of them for the New
Year Day football game. 1t seats
86,581, with enough bleachers added
on January l to bring it to 89,083.
City officials declined to estimate
the profits, but said these were
higher than ever.
Baltimore's Municipal Stadium
was used 101 times last year with
total attendance of 1,246. 500 and a
net profit of 1885, but Baltimore s
International League Baseball Club
which moved in after losing its own
park in a fire, contributed heavily to
these figures. Since it was built In
1928 for $275, 900, this stadium. with
capacity of $1,000, has lost 1929, 1913
Soldier Field Breaks Even.
Chicago's Soldier Field, an $1,000,
600 structure built in 1924, just
breaks even from year to year. II
seats 100000 for football, and helo
135, 900 for the second Dempsey.
Tunney fight in 1927. It was usee
81 times last year and seated a tota.
.of 1,350,000 persons, including L.
900 900 for 80 sports events.
The Cotton Bowl at Dallas, used
only for football, always has been a
money maker for the State Fair OF
Texas. Built in 1890 for s400 900, ii
seats 45,507 and drew total OF
245, 900 to Is college and high school
football games last year. A re-
modelling job which would give the
Cotton Bowl 10000 to 10000 more
seats is planned.
City Park Stadium in New Or
leans, a 100000 structure with a
26, 900. seating Capacity built in 1887
was used 1877 times last year with
total attendance of 100000. But 1t
loses $4,000 to $1,000 year.
Balboa Stadium at San Diego
Calf, which seats 10000, drew 500.-
900 to 80 major events last year. 1t
has made a profit for the city in
recent years.
Legion Field at Birmingham, Ala
built in 1927 for S375,0 900, has 21,00C
permanent and 5000 temporary
seats. Some $4,000 has been re-
tired from the original cost. but nc
interest has been paid and it oper-
ates at a loss.