SportsQuest under new leadership, financial audit underway | News

CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT) - A major change in the leadership at SportsQuest, amid pending lawsuits and financial challenges. Chesterfield uses SportsQuest quite a bit, in fact, it will have youth teams out there tonight.

We spoke with the new interim general manager for SportsQuest. Dudley Duncan said the company's future is in jeopardy. Right now there's a financial audit underway. The restructuring is raising eyebrows.

Chesterfield County said SportsQuest fields are in high demand. In fact, one man said he's in talks with SportsQuest about handling a youth tournament in December, but now has concerns.

"In order to schedule a tournament, you need months in advance for preparation to let the teams know," said Otis Logan with the I Am Youth organization.

Behind the scenes, the company is on shaky ground.

Tara Morgan: "Would you say SportsQuest is in jeopardy?"
Duncan: "Hmm, certainly."

Duncan, who runs SwimQuest Aquatic Center, is the new interim General Manager, replacing Steve Burton.

"The vision is a great vision and has a potential to be a great opportunity," said Duncan.

But in recent weeks, the company got evicted from its Midlothian training facility for owing thousands in back rent.

Burton and SportsQuest is also face legal action by State Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli on top of four other civil suits.

Topics Burton did not want to visit when we last spoke. He stopped our interview and walked away.

Duncan said with those financial and legal challenges, the board needed a better understanding as to what's going on.

"I really think that there needs to be a new business plan to go forward," said Duncan.

Chesterfield County has a $4 million, 20 year lease agreement with SportsQuest. It uses eight fields.

"They anticipate our using the facilities as we have we'll be out there tonight," said Chesterfield Parks and Recd Director, Mike Golden.

Chesterfield is protected by a contract and lien on the property. If sold, Golden said the first $4 million would go to the county. Golden said the Parks and Rec Advisory Commission will tour SportsQuest later this week. 

"Let everybody know that with the new management our lease still continues," said Golden.

Duncan said there's plenty of enthusiasm from people wanting to get back involved with SportsQuest. But the new board won't know for about another two weeks what the company's future will hold.

We reached out to Burton for comment, but our call was not returned. Duncan said Burton intends on being cooperative as SportsQuest creates a new business plan.

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