Should city of Fresno sell Granite Park, if it takes over? Here are possible outcomes
Fresno could be taking over the Granite Park Sports Complex by this weekend, and it could become a case of “be careful what you wish for, you might get it.”
The city is awaiting a judge’s ruling on Friday that could require Central Valley Community Sports Foundation to proverbially turn over the keys of the city-owned park and vacate the property it has been leasing since 2015.
After three eviction lawsuits in the last two years, Fresno County Superior Court Judge Jon Skiles ruled the nonprofit operator is likely in breach of its contract with the city and will lose control of the park. If Skiles denies a motion by CVCSF to pause the eviction until an appeal is adjudicated, the city could take over this weekend.
If the city regains control of the park, it will have to provide staffing, maintain the sports fields, and figure out revenue shortfalls because it will no longer be able to charge an entry fee. Parking — the topic of a current lawsuit — is also an issue. The Fresno City Council peppered city administration at Monday’s budget hearing on what happens next?
Parks director Aaron Aguirre said the city budgeted $847,900 to operate the park. That will cover expenses including upgrades and security.
“We’re not going to shut Granite Park down,” City Manager Georgeanne White said. Current teams and leagues that use the complex will remain, she said.
Should the city sell Granite Park?
Councilmember Annalisa Perea wasn’t so sure about the plan. She expressed “full faith” in Aguirre’s department to take things over, but that may not be enough, she said.
“I don’t know if we should be in the business to operate Granite Park. I would much rather see us sell that asset than to take it on,” Perea said. “I’m not quite there, quite yet, to the point where I feel comfortable with the city taking over.”
White did not have an immediate answer on the appraisal price, but she said it’s worth “millions.” CVCSF would not have the first right to purchase the park, because they are in breach of contract, City Attorney Andrew Janz said.
Aguirre said there should be enough city workers to continue programs at the park, including youth and adult baseball, softball and soccer. The plan is to use internal staff and contracted services. He estimates five employees would be working weekdays and 10 employees on weekends.
The city would need to hire a landscaping specialist for the baseball fields because of the specialized Bermuda grass blend.
If the city takes over, the public could use the sports fields, if no other games are going on, the administration said.
Debate on expenses
Through a 2015 lease with CVCSF, the city paid the group a $150,000 subsidy. White said the city would be on the hook for $200,000 in unpaid electricity and water bills.
White said that it is difficult to estimate actual expenses, but there is “significant revenue.” CVCSF President Terance Frazier, in an April 14 deposition in advance of Friday’s hearing, said the park never turned a profit.
“Every time we take something in-house, it is significantly more expensive. My concern is, who are you going to take from to cover that cost?” Couniclmember Miguel Arias asked.
Arias said the city is underestimating how much it will cost to operate Granite Park. Other court documents filed by the city estimate $2.9 million are needed in improvements.
“I am not going to give an inch of staffing, an inch of capital, an inch of operational money from my region to go operate a park for a bunch of private leagues,” Arias said.
Currently, the Granite Park Sports Complex charges admission for spectators. White said there is no fee in the city’s master schedule to legally continue the practice. The city will honor all existing reservations. That means, the city would lose revenue off the bat.
White does not plan drastic changes with the sports complex’s operations. She plans to hire contractors to operate concessions, which includes a bar. The park is legally allowed to sell alcohol. Food trucks could also be an option.
Granite Park costs would decrease because the city would no longer be subsidizing the CVCSF board of directors, saving $500,000 per year, White said.
White hopes to break even in the first year.
What about parking?
Parking has always been an issue at Granite Park. Most of the spaces are controlled by the park’s neighbor, the entity that owns the Club One Casino. The man behind the casino is Kyle Kirkland, candidate for Congressional District 21.
CVCSF is engaged in a separate lawsuit with the city, and Club One’s parent company, GPP II, LLC over parking rights.
Arias floated the idea of using eminent domain to take the parking spaces. Kirkland balked.
“It’s a mistake. We own the parking lot. It’s privately held, and we manage it. We do a good job managing it. Any effort to just seize the property seems off base,” Kirkland told The Bee.
He said he is willing to engage in a deal with the city.
This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 2:33 PM with the headline "Should city of Fresno sell Granite Park, if it takes over? Here are possible outcomes."
