Race on to Complete Sports Complex
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowAn Evansville tourism official says the city has already booked the first event at a yet-to-be-built $14 million sports complex. Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau Director of Marketing & Communications Laura Libs says the Indiana Amateur Softball Association is slated to hold a men's tournament at the complex in July 2015. A groundbreaking ceremony is set for next week.
The CVB estimates the venue could eventually generate more than $13 million in annual economic impact.
April 1, 2014
News Release
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau will host a ground breaking ceremony for the new $15.35 million Sports Complex on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at 2PM. This investment in Evansville and Vanderburgh County by the Evansville CVB will enhance and grow the sports tourism industry by a projected $13-$16 million annually within the next four years.
Below is the detail of costs and future operations of the Sports Complex:
-$1.35 million from the Evansville CVB's Tourism Capital Development Fund to purchase the 96.3-acres for the complex.
-$14 million bond for construction costs to build the complex.
-Formation of a separate corporation – the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Convention and Visitors Bureau Building Corporation – to build, manage and maintain the complex.
The complex will consist of eight fields in a pinwheel design, state-of-the-art digital technology for sound and lighting equipment, wi-fi, electronic score boards, concession stands, water features and shaded bleachers. There will also be enhanced fencing and shaded areas, more than 1,000 parking spaces, playgrounds and an awards/public area suitable for multipurpose usage. Another key component will be a 1-mile paved walking path that surrounds the complex and will be open and available to the public.
All costs of this project will be paid for by the Evansville CVB Tourism Capital Development Fund – an account that is funded by 3.5 percent of the 8 percent Innkeepers' Tax collected by hotels from visitors who stay overnight in Vanderburgh County. The TCDF may only be used to increase tourism by building new or improving existing tourism facilities in the county and city. The $14 million bond will be paid from this account over the next 23 years.
The opening of the complex is projected to be spring or summer of 2015.
Source: Evansville Convention & Visitors Bureau