Procurement News Notice |
|
| PNN | 2017 |
| Work Detail | Regional investment in sports facilities that bring events such as the National Softball Association Girls Fast Pitch World Series and the Power1 AquaX watercraft races are paying off in tourist dollars, officials said. Thousands of softball players, families and fans filled hotel rooms and restaurants the last week of July for the softball world series, one of the largest amateur sporting events in the area. Additional tournaments from organizations such as the International Senior Softball Association and Game Day also boost the economy, officials said. "The entire South Shore benefits from these tournaments, as local restaurants, businesses and attractions will see an increase in visitors through weeks of competition," said Speros Batistatos, president and CEO of the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority. Nearly 50 amateur sporting events, including basketball, lacrosse and Frisbee golf, came to Northwest Indiana in 2015, booking close to 10,000 room nights and creating approximately $2.5 million in economic impact. Similar financial benefits are expected this year. Earlier this month, the first personal watercraft race event, the Power1 AquaX races, took place on Whiting's Lake Michigan shoreline, and there have been swimming and track competitions, table tennis and Frisbee golf events. Making possible all this activity was investment in sports-based infrastructure, such as the Crown Point Sportsplex and facilities in Munster, Hammond, LaPorte and others. Crown Point Mayor David Uran said local restaurants, convenience and grocery stores, and gas stations have benefited from the investment in the 96-acre Sportsplex and Legacy Fields. "Some things you can measure, some things you cannot measure," Uran said. The city also created a new sports commission in hopes of encouraging amateur sports of all kinds and providing financial assistance to such local athletes as those on the championship Cal Ripken 12U baseball team to attend major events elsewhere. Batistatos said officials like Uran and Whiting Mayor Joe Stahura are leading the way in showing communities the big picture. "There is a need to take control for our cities. (Those investments) will continue to have economic impact on the city and region for decades to come," he said. Early events such as the Lutheran Basketball Tournament and Leon's Triathlon drew attention to the area. "We have been leveraging nontraditional facilities for decades," Batistatos said. He sees the future demolition of the Radisson Hotel and Star Theater in Merrillville as opening a potential new venue for the sports tourism market. "We see tremendous opportunity to grow sports. We can finally talk to people in a way about understanding the need for a convention center," Batistatos said. Amy Fretz, communications director for the city of Whiting, said the Power1 AquaX races wouldn't have been possible without the more than $50 million the city received from the Regional Development Authority to renovate its Lakefront Park. "People were out both days, and it wouldn't have been a draw in the old park," she said. "We're hearing people from out of state love the venue, and everyone is going out of their way to make the visitors feel welcome." Special Events Director Mark Harbin added that even though the event was free for spectators, the racers and their entourages had plenty of time to explore and spend. "The economic impact has been a win-win for us, definitely," Harbin said. "We'll make room for AquaX on our schedule any time they want to come back." |
| Country | United States , Northern America |
| Industry | Travel & Tourism |
| Entry Date | 03 Sep 2016 |
| Source | http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-lake-sports-tourism-st-0820-20160819-story.html |
