ONEONTA _ Closing the National Soccer Hall of Fame's Oneonta facility is a possibility as the organization confronts continuing financial problems, a top official said Wednesday.
"How we operate here is something we need to think about," said Jonathan Ullman, the organization's president and chief operating officer. He said he did not have a timetable for when the Hall's board of directors would make a decision.
A call for comment to board President Douglas Willies was not returned Wednesday night. Ullman has been with the Hall for nearly a year and has served as president and CEO since May.
The 40,000-square-foot facility, including four soccer fields, a museum and gift shop, was opened June 12, 1999, in the town of Oneonta, according to the Hall website. The facility is at 18 Stadium Circle off of state Route 205. From 1979 until 1998, the museum was located in the city of Oneonta, and it was recognized by the U.S. Soccer Federation in 1983. It employs nine full-time staff, with the number of part-time employees fluctuating seasonally, Ullman said.
Fall tournaments, including the Hall of Fame Cup and New York State Public High School Athletic Association boys soccer, will take place as scheduled, but no tournaments are being booked for 2010 as discussions continue, Ullman said.
The only thing that has been decided for the fall is a change in the hours for public operations, including the museum, he said, though details have not been determined.
"The organization needs to think about how it can best serve its constituents," he said, including local and national soccer and Hall of Famers. "We are a business, and we need to look at the bottom line."
While he said he was not prepared to discuss finances Wednesday, he added, "we are fortunate in that we do not have any debt" and there are some cash reserves.
That financial situation is possible, Ullman said, thanks to some major periodic supporters including national soccer organizations and state and local sources.
Ullman: There will be a HOF
Inductions into the National Soccer Hall of Fame are a part of the organization's annual events.
"There will always be a Hall of Fame," he said when asked about those activities, and there will continue to be discussions about whether the Hall should be in Oneonta or another location.
But with no decisions yet, he said, it was "premature" to talk about the possible impact on inductions or tournaments beyond those scheduled.
"How we deliver is an ongoing discussion," he said.
But if an activity is not profitable, it either needs to be subsidized or "you can't do it," he added.
Calls to the U.S. Soccer Federation and U.S. Soccer Foundation were not returned Wednesday.
N.Y. officials monitoring situation
Several state and local officials said Wednesday that they were aware of the situation.
Otsego County Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Rob Robinson said if the facility is closed, "it will be another big hit to the area" on top of the economic downturn.
The people it draws during the summer add several million dollars in revenue to area businesses, he said.
Oneonta Town Supervisor Robert Wood said he was told by the board of directors, during a meeting for local leaders in July, that closing was a possibility.
"I have seen the Soccer Hall grow from an idea through the efforts of a lot of local people," Wood said, and he was hopeful the news would "spur a greater contribution from people who want to see it preserved."
Also at that July meeting were Assemblyman William Magee, D-Nelson, and a representative for Sen. James Seward, R-Milford.
Magee said the board of directors is trying very hard to find alternatives to closure, and "I hope they are successful."
With the state's fiscal problems and multi-billion-dollar deficits, he said, he was not optimistic that he would be able to secure state funding, as he and Seward have led efforts to do in the past.
In a prepared statement, Seward said, "I will continue to work with the Hall of Fame and offer any possible assistance."
City of Oneonta Mayor John Nader said he had been involved in the Soccer Hall discussions.
Once the board of directors has decided on its direction, he said, he will work to make sure the local community "appreciates what we have here. If they reach out, there are many who want to help."
