Friday, April 10, 1998

El Paso working on plans to lure Dallas Cowboys' training camp

EL PASO, Texas (AP) - Plans for a $113 million El Paso sports complex, complete with a 20,000-seat stadium, are quietly in the works as the city attempts to lure the Dallas Cowboys' training camp, the El Paso Times reported in Thursday's editions.

City Council members and members of the city's Public Service Board, which owns most of the northwest El Paso land where the proposed 200-acre facility would be built, said they were unaware of the plans. The newspaper obtained a copy of documents outlining the project.

Chamber of Commerce president Wes Jurey has been part of the planning process. He said the idea probably was going to be made public next Wednesday.

"What we're kicking off on Wednesday is a sports council that will be part of our foundation that's really going to look at the sports industry from the economic development perspective," Jurey said. "None of the discussions I've been in have focused around going out and having a bond issue to build something."

Jurey said the "concept papers" the Times obtained will be used to try and attract private-sector investment.

Mayor Carlos Ramriez said private financing probably would be essential for such a project.

"I don't see myself or anyone else asking voter to support a $60 (million) or $100 million sports complex at this time with so many other needs," he said. "I would much rather support a private-sector initiative and give incentives to make it happen."

The Cowboys currently have a one-year agreement to train in Wichita Falls this summer.