Redmond schools’ $2 million land sale to Wild Mike’s Pizza will fund field upgrades at Jaqua Sports Complex

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Redmond School District has sold a nearly 47-acre industrial parcel on the corner of Northeast Ninth Street and East Antler Avenue to Wild Mike’s Ultimate Pizza Company for just over $2 million, and plans to use the proceeds for major sports field upgrades.

Wild Mike’s presented plans to the Redmond City Council in March to relocate their corporate headquarters from Clackamas County to Redmond, and the deal officially closed in early June.

Compass Commercial brokers Pat Kesgard, CCIM, Dan Kemp, CCIM and Kristie Schmitt represented the Redmond School District, which will use the proceeds from the sale to improve the Redmond Rotary Community Fields at the David M. Jaqua Sports Complex by Redmond High School, according to the real estate brokers, whose Tuesday news release continues below:

“The project at Jaqua Sports Complex will truly benefit our community and serve our kids by giving them a place to learn and physically participate in a wide variety of activities,” said Marc Horner, assistant director of operations for the Redmond School District. “This will have a positive economic impact on our community and will allow local kids the opportunity to play sports locally, instead of traveling for tournaments. We’re thankful to our many partners for helping make this dream a reality.”

The school district plans to improve the Jaqua Sports Complex’s center baseball field and soccer field along Antler Avenue using the profits from the sale. The district will add turf to these soccer and baseball fields, install lights, replace spectator seating and construct a concession stand with restrooms. This improved sports complex will benefit Redmond K-12 students and provide new opportunities for the growing community.

“This was a win for everyone in the community,” Kesgard stated. “The school district was able to sell the under-utilized land and use the proceeds from the sale for the Jaqua Sports Complex. Meanwhile, Wild Mike’s can grow its production facility in phases and continue to develop their business for decades to come. The construction of the first phase of the manufacturing plant will create significant economic benefits to Central Oregon.”

In 2020 alone, company expansion and relocation projects invested over $20 million nd created over 100 jobs for Central Oregon residents. According to Redmond Economic Development, Inc (REDI) Senior Director Jon Stark, there are currently 28 pending projects expecting to create approximately 1,478 new jobs. Wild Mike’s relocation is just one of these projects.

Wild Mike’s will break ground on the Ninth and Antler location at the end of the year and begin construction of the estimated 270,000+ square foot facility in 2022. The company anticipates 114 employees to relocate from the Clackamas location to this new facility in 2023.

The Enterprise Zone location allows the company to receive a 15-year tax exemption if they create a minimum of 50 new jobs within three years of occupancy. The goal is to have 500 employees in the years ahead.

“The employees moving to the area will create a substantial employment base, and the economic multiplier of those salaries will benefit all the local businesses,” Kesgard said. “As the company grows, the local employment base will grow, creating a more resilient economy much less prone to recessions.”

According to Chuck Arnold, the city of Redmond’s Economic Development/Urban Renewal Program manager, Redmond is growing exponentially, with a family of four moving to Redmond each day.

Commercial deals such as this allow local entities to make vital improvements, like the Jaqua Sports Complex. As more companies expand and relocate to Redmond, the ability to make these improvements will increase.