Politics & Government

Developers Go Public With Sports Plans for Olivette's Warson Park

Jay Williamson & Joe Bannister want to bring ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer and field hockey to 25 acres of unused space.

Jay Williamson, graduate of John Burroughs and Ladue resident returned from the PGA golf tour a year ago for several reasons.

He’s spent 24 years playing professional golf, some 15 on the PGA tour. Now, it was time to spend more time with the family with three young children; begin a business career and follow another dream he’d been working on for some time.

Williamson, and business partner Joe Bannister of Webster Groves have designs on bringing indoor ice hockey; outdoor lacrosse, soccer and field hockey to Olivette.

The duo eye the 25-acre piece of unused ground at Warson Park in Olivette.

From this non-used property would rise a twin ice rink; outdoor artificial multi purpose use fields for the fastest growing sports in America (lacrosse and soccer).

Alone, some 1,200 youngsters play soccer in the Olivette Athletic Association.

Bannister, former athlete at St. Louis U. High and a real estate developer and Williamson, a financial planner (BryanMark Financial) went before the workshop of the Olivette City Council with some preliminary thoughts.

“We just want to see if you (the Olivette Council) have the stomach to look at a plan like this at this time,” said Williamson.

“Most of the ice facilities in this area are older, controlled by St. Louis County Parks and their future use is uncertain,” said Williamson.

Gazing at the lettering on the wall behind the council, he mentioned what Olivette promotes:  “We are in the Center of it All,” said the former pro golfer.

Groups from as far away as Southern Illinois, North and South St. Louis County have expressed interest in finding playing fields and ice for their numerous teams.

The developers are proposing a “public/private not for profit” partnership which opened up a whole new line of questioning.

Mayor Missy Waldman wondered out loud what that meant and how would financial issues be arranged. After the developers left, the council discussed the possibilities of a land swap (involving space in Stacy Park).

Part of the developer’s plans would be upgrading athletic fields in Stacy Park.

Other thorny issues would need to be addressed:

  • Parking
  • Lighting
  • Hours of Operation

“We are open to suggestions.This is a partnership where there would be no financial liability to the City. All the traffic would come and go on Warson Road. This is the perfect area to develop (a sports complex).” said Bannister.

Williamson said outdoor lighting would not be a “make or break issue.”

Mayor Waldman gave her post meeting review.

“This is a very interesting topic to talk about. It is very, very preliminary. The City is willing to have other conversations and we will have to take this back to a facilities board that is looking at other options. We do own that land, we need to be very cautious and move in the direction that would benefit the Citizens of Olivette,” said Waldman.

Next: This will become a discussion item on the Olivette’s Work Shop agenda in June.


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