Costs to build a privately operated baseball-softball complex in Oxnard's College Park would run taxpayers $27.2 million — about $5 million more than if the city built and ran the facility.

The costlier scenario, however, is an "economically superior alternative, saving the city approximately $125,000 to $500,000 a year" in operational costs, according to a staff report.

Released Thursday on the city's Web site, the report confirms figures cited by Councilman Tim Flynn, who tried but was unable to get the report earlier, through a public records request and then a lawsuit filed against the city last week.

The City Council will discuss the matter at a study session Tuesday. Council members are expected to advise staff members on how to proceed with the plan but not take any action.

The City Council commissioned the $293,500 consultant report to narrow down cost estimates for developing College Park, a 75-acre parcel at Channel Islands Boulevard and Rose Avenue.

A key question is whether Chino-based Big League Dreams should build and operate the complex, or if the city should handle it.

Big League Dreams offers taxpayers a better deal because the company would assume all operational costs in running the facility, City Manager Ed Sotelo said Friday.

"Our cost is zero with Big League Dreams and significant with the city-run operation," Sotelo said.

Big League Dreams constructs replicas of famous ball parks. The city has already paid the company $505,200 for a consulting agreement and an additional $400,000 for a licensing agreement. The latter fee is refundable if the city decides that the project is not financially sound or cannot use some of the land because of restrictions imposed by federal funds, officials have said.

Regardless of the scenario — public or private — taxpayers foot the construction bill.

City staff members originally estimated costs for a privately run operation at $15.2 million.

Sotelo cited the dramatic price run-up for wood, steel and concrete.

There is a nearly 79 percent difference in material costs between the staff's estimate and the report's projection.

Softball and baseball tournaments will pump an estimated $2 million a year into the city's economy, the report says. The figure is based on a combined 640 youth and adult teams with 7,900 people using the complex.

Each player is expected to generate about $260 per weekend, figuring in hotels, restaurants and other expenses.

Flynn, the lone councilman to vote against last year's agreement with Big League Dreams, said Friday the report is incomplete because it doesn't provide any projections on revenue.

"I think it's highly speculative as to whether it's plus or minus for the city," Flynn said.

City staff members will present some revenue projections Tuesday, but more would come after the council gives a firm idea on how to proceed.

The first phase calls for spending $14.2 million for basketball and volleyball courts, soccer fields, rest rooms, picnic areas and a dog park.

But the city only has about $5.2 million in grant money for the work.

The city could issue bonds and take on debt, or it could seek various grant funds.