Back when Mike Tyson was the terror of heavyweight boxing and his opponents were strategizing on how to attack him, Tyson dismissed the talk, observing, “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”
As it turned out, the best of those plans included avoiding getting punched in the mouth, which ultimately proved Iron Mike’s undoing.
Starkville’s Cornerstone Park held its first tournament last weekend, a modest 29-team event that suggests the city is determined to avoid getting punched in the mouth when the larger-field tournaments come knocking later on.
The city called the tournament a “soft opening.” It could also be viewed as a dress rehearsal or a test drive. There’s some real value in taking that approach.
Starkville Parks and Recreation Director Brandon Doherty said he had received dozens of calls, most of them complimenting the $20-million-plus facility. As gratifying as those positive comments may be, the greater value was learning what didn’t quite work out.
There were some concerns about whether there would be sufficient parking once bigger tournaments, featuring 100 teams or more, arrive. Aside from that, the issues that emerged were relatively minor and should be easily addressed – placement of trash cans, condiment stations, benches, etc.
Being made aware of these weaknesses is important. A small problem with a small tournament can become an oversized problem with a big tournament. Flaws are magnified, and solutions are more difficult. Being able to identify weaknesses is the “not getting punched in the mouth” part of planning.
We have seen what happens when facilities open without a dress rehearsal. Columbus residents recall the problems that presented when the Columbus Soccer Complex opened in September 2012. It was only then that officials realized there were major issues with adequate parking, and of far greater concern, insufficient restroom facilities. Had park officials held a smaller event prior to the grand opening, it’s likely these deficiencies would have been recognized and addressed prior to the grand opening. That didn’t happen. Two months after that grand opening, the joint city/county complex added $200,000 in restroom/concession facilities along with developing a plan for parking overflow.
The Columbus Soccer Complex solved those problems, but not without suffering a pretty big punch in the mouth during its grand opening.
Any new facility is likely to have issues that need to be addressed. Cornerstone Park’s plan to hold a couple of “soft openings” before its official grand opening will not only prevent some pretty big headaches but gain the community’s confidence. Taxpayers expect a $20-million facility to have its ducks in a row and function at a high level.
For that reason, we applaud the city for putting the facility to the test before it hosts major tournaments.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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