Walton TDC seeking proposals for sports complex / arts facility on 102 acres

**WCTA** · 07-28-2009, 11:13 AM

The TDC is seeking proposals for a sports complex facility to sit on approximately 102 acres. Page 22 details to proposed additions to facilities.

I have attached a copy of the RPF for everyone to study.

Are they proposing an additional 1/2 cent bedtax to fund ?

Where is the citizen involvement in this complex ?

Sports Complex RFP-TDC 09July.pdf

**beachFool** · 07-28-2009, 04:04 PM

We should at least look at what it would cost and what revenue it would produce.

So what if it is a 1/2 cent bed tax? Tourists would be paying it.

We need more baseball fields in South Walton and so much the better if we can get tourists to pay for it.

FYI-no kids either

**BeachSiO2** · 07-28-2009, 05:39 PM

I looked at the attachment and it appears to be an RFP to conduct a Feasibility Study to determine the feasibility of a sports AND arts complex for Walton County. I believe it stems from community requests for both.

In my experience with other feasibility studies, they would typically include a component of citizen involvement. Additionally, they typically include a financial feasibility analysis to evaluate exisiting and possible future revenue streams. I guess my point is that I don't see any proposal to raise bed taxes or exclude citizen input as that's what led to the study.
Posted via Mobile Device

**beachmouse** · 07-28-2009, 06:09 PM

Be nice if they could get a pool as part of that sort of complex. Doesn't have to be as big as Frank Brown Park, but something similar to the Destin YMCA would be a community asset.

**SWGB** · 07-28-2009, 11:24 PM

Generally a public facility isn't a revenue generator. That being said I'm all for it.

**Busta Hustle** · 07-29-2009, 07:36 AM

so is the TDC sitting on 102 acres already owned by them?

**BeachSiO2** · 07-29-2009, 07:57 AM

Originally Posted by Busta Hustle

so is the TDC sitting on 102 acres already owned by them?

Generally speaking, the TDC is a county agency and does not own any land. They only manage lands owned by the County (i.e. beach and bay accesses).

**TooFarTampa** · 07-29-2009, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by BeachSiO2

Generally speaking, the TDC is a county agency and does not own any land. They only manage lands owned by the County (i.e. beach and bay accesses).

Does the county own a lot of land that isn't set aside for conservation?

**BeachSiO2** · 07-29-2009, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by TooFarTampa

Does the county own a lot of land that isn't set aside for conservation?

I don't know for the County as a whole as I am more familiar with beach and bay accesses, and properties the TDC manages in Sowal. The planning department could probably answer that for you, or maybe WCTA has that info.

**TooFarTampa** · 07-29-2009, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by BeachSiO2

I don't know for the County as a whole as I am more familiar with beach and bay accesses, and properties the TDC manages in Sowal. The planning department could probably answer that for you, or maybe WCTA has that info.

Thanks. It's easier just to ask the peanut gallery.

**BeachSiO2** · 07-29-2009, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by TooFarTampa

Thanks. It's easier just to ask the peanut gallery.

I understand.

**Smiling JOe** · 07-29-2009, 09:54 AM

Is NatureWalk 102 acres? (just kidding, but that would be nice)

**JustBeachy** · 07-29-2009, 10:26 PM

Slips out of lurkdom to add my 2 pennies worth. This sounds like a great idea. A nice pool complex and baseball/softball fields could bring in extra revenue (as if Walton Co needs more tourists) in the form of tournaments and swim/diving meets...and honestly the more structured recreation available to the youngsters, the less free time for mischief. Or so the theory goes. I know I always found time for mischief...still do.

**DavidD** · 07-29-2009, 10:52 PM

I am personally for more civic facilities in SoWal. That is about my only complaint with the area. Although I appreciate all of the local resort developments' green spaces, it would be great to have some spaces that are truly for the community, especially if it included ballfields or pools. I'm sure that the resort developments would like to keep their property reserved primarily for their guests. As far as the bed tax goes, I see it as the visiting population giving back to help maintain a healthy and happy SoWal. A yin yang or cosmic balance.

What would it take for the local government to create some indoor facilities for locals to use during the burning summer days and the colder winter days? The outdoors are truly magnificent in SoWal, but there are times when indoor space would be a welcome relief, especially now that the coastal library branch will be closed on Saturday.

**Seasider** · 07-29-2009, 11:28 PM

Don't need it. Don't want it. Bed taxes should be going to maintain the beaches, not diverted to other spending.

**TooFarTampa** · 07-30-2009, 12:01 AM

A very brief search led me to some sports complex plans in my area in the past couple of years.

One opened in FishHawk Ranch (newer development) at a cost of just under $10 million for 70 acres. No pool, mostly fields, concessions, restrooms.

One proposal was for a very controversial $40 million project on over 400 acres, with a midsized stadium surrounded by other playing fields. As far as I know it is dead in the water.

It seems like the county is looking at a multi-use building for arts and sports, some fields, and hopefully a pool? I would be all for it but paying for it is another issue. As someone who communicates directly with renters on a frequent basis, I don't think expecting them to cough up additional dollars to pay for it is a good plan at this point. Maybe revenues will be up without raising the taxes by the time the plans are ready to go.

**TooFarTampa** · 07-30-2009, 12:12 AM

From re-reading the link in the original post, it appears the county is studying the feasibility of two separate facilities, possibly (probably?) in two separate places. Page 22 has a breakdown of what the sports complex would contain, and it doesn't appear to have the arts plans included in that breakdown of 102 acres. It doesn't seem to say how much space they would need for the arts complex, but I'm guessing the 5,000-10,000 seat facility alone needs plenty of room.

**florida girl** · 07-30-2009, 02:32 AM

Coming from a family with no affiliation to sports, it's rather foreign to me. Is this part of a stimulus plan for our economy?

**SWGB** · 07-30-2009, 02:43 AM

Originally Posted by florida girl

Coming from a family with no affiliation to sports, it's rather foreign to me. Is this part of a stimulus plan for our economy?

Please re-read the thread and post again.

**Paula** · 07-30-2009, 05:09 AM

I'm for it if there's a heated pool. If they want tourists to pay for it with increased tax, one thing tourists would love to have is a heated pool off season. That would also possibly bring more renters in off season which could also help local businesses (if more people visiting off season is what SoWal wants). We just got back from Italy and there's a public pool and it was full just about every day with families and teens - locals and a LOT of visitors. Kids loved it so I loved it. It was a great place for the kids to meet other kids.

**beachmouse** · 07-30-2009, 06:19 AM

Originally Posted by Paula

I'm for it if there's a heated pool. If they want tourists to pay for it with increased tax, one thing tourists would love to have is a heated pool off season. That would also possibly bring more renters in off season which could also help local businesses (if more people visiting off season is what SoWal wants).

Three words:

Snowbird water aerobics

Which is both a brilliant and terrifying concept

**Bob Wells** · 07-30-2009, 06:33 AM

Well, this is suprising. Possible tax money being used to pay for a sports complex from the TDC and most of the comments are positive. I am truly shocked, there was more outrage about using the 1/2 penny increace to assist in drawing a Low Cost Airline. Although I am not opposed to this, had the County had foresight enough a regional facility could have been built long ago with it being built by developers as a swap for green space in subdivisions.

**TooFarTampa** · 07-30-2009, 07:01 AM

Originally Posted by TreeFrog

Yeah, me too. That's the first EMail I've ever gotten from SoWal.

Maybe one of the moderators should pass this on to Kurt.

This moderator is fairly certain that Kurt is the one who sent it out.

**debleigh9** · 07-30-2009, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by seasider

don't need it. Don't want it. Bed taxes should be going to maintain the beaches, not diverted to other spending.

amen!

**TooFarTampa** · 07-30-2009, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by beachmouse

Three words:

Snowbird water aerobics

Which is both a brilliant and terrifying concept

If the county doesn't need a facility like this yet, they will at some point, not just for tourists but for general population growth. So it's good to try to target land while they still can. I would hope it would be centrally located so tourists and SoWal residents/owners can use it. But that's tricky. Nature Walk isn't exactly central for the entire county, but boy that would be sweet!

**Smiling JOe** · 07-30-2009, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Seasider

Don't need it. Don't want it. Bed taxes should be going to maintain the beaches, not diverted to other spending.

It is interesting to read the different opinions. Thanks for sharing. My comments are as follows. Regarding the comment above about the TDC should be using that tax on the beaches, that is not the TDC's perspective. They spend it on things which draw tourists. A recreational facility such as Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach brings thousands of tourists to PCB, who spend millions of dollars, which in turn helps the local businesses and local tax revenues.

On that note, the problem I have with such a facility being built to bring in more tourists, to our uncrowded beaches, is that it could take away from the focus on our different lifestyle from Destin and PCB. This area is a low-key vacation area, which has a focus on natural settings, not huge rec parks. We actually have a huge natural recreation facility, otherwise known as Pt Washington State Park and the Gulf of Mexico, but it is greatly underutilized as such by locals. There could easily be team building events in our natural settings, almost year round, but no one is doing it. I think a good Parks and Recreation Director would have many programs to take advantage of our unique natural setting. We have great opportunity, if we just open our eyes to that which is already before us.

The flip-side is that it has the potential to fill cash registers, especially in the off season when it is so desparately needed, which tends to make living here much easier. We sure could use something to bring the entire community of South Walton together. If a kid wants to play tennis or go swimming in a pool SoWal, good luck. Currently, we have no public facilities to do such. I can't even think of more than one public basketball goal in South Walton (Cessna Landing).

I know the Boys and Girl's Club is now on the table. It seems to me that by building a good public facility, we wouldn't need a private one designated solely for kids.

**Smiling JOe** · 07-30-2009, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by TooFarTampa

If the county doesn't need a facility like this yet, they will at some point, not just for tourists but for general population growth. So it's good to try to target land while they still can. I would hope it would be centrally located so tourists and SoWal residents/owners can use it. But that's tricky. Nature Walk isn't exactly central for the entire county, but boy that would be sweet!

Actually, a location like the property where the Boys and Girls Club is proposed (behind the court house annex), would be great, as it is centrally located east to west, backs up to the Library and High School, close enough to draw South Freeport residents as well. Kids could go directly from school to the library, then the rec center. Since is sounds like the Girls and Boys Club is moving forward, having a public adult rec facility next door would also be convenient for parents.

I don't think the facility would need to be centrally located for the entire County, as that would put the facility north of Freeport, making Frank Brown Park in PCB closer for most of South Walton. Freeport already has a large park, and they actually have a public swimming pool behind City Hall. I believe other parks are located in the other areas in North Walton. South Walton has no such place for public use.

**JustBeachy** · 07-30-2009, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by beachmouse

Three words:

Snowbird water aerobics

Which is both a brilliant and terrifying concept

Synchronized Snowbird Water Aerobics...

**WCTA** · 07-31-2009, 11:55 AM

This weeks DeFuniak Herald has a legal notice for a "Public Hearing" for a 1/2 cent bed tax increase to be effective October 1, 2009.

Wonder what the hearing is for ? (Please See Post #35)

If it is for the Cultural Center and Sports Complex then they are proposing a new tax for a project without the Economic Feasibility Study completed.

From The RPF.

RFP NO: 09-037
The Walton County Tourist Development, (TDC), a division of Walton County is
requesting proposals from firms to do a Feasibility Study for an Arts Center and Sports
Center located in South Walton.

RFP Deadline: August 25, 2009 no later than 3:00PM (cst) and will open immediately
thereafter.

RPF deadline is 14 days after the Public Hearing to increase the bet tax again.

Hmmmm !

**scooterbug44** · 07-31-2009, 12:26 PM

I think a facility like this is a great idea - and a much better use of tax dollars than bribing an airline and lining politician's pockets.

As far as using tourist dollars for something besides the beach, I bet many visitors (especially w/ kids) would like an INDOOR place to have funn on a rainy/stormy/red or purple flag day.

I don't think we should increase the tax rate any more though - an annual pass or daily entrance fee could help offset the costs and then the actual USERS would be the ones paying.

**BeachSiO2** · 07-31-2009, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by WCTA

This weeks DeFuniak Herald has a legal notice for a "Public Hearing" for a another proposed 1/2 cent bed tax increase to be effective October 1, 2009.

Wonder what they are proposing it for ?

If it is for the Cultural Center and Sports Complex then they are proposing a new tax for a project without the Economic Feasibility Study completed.

From The RPF.

RFP NO: 09-037
The Walton County Tourist Development, (TDC), a division of Walton County is
requesting proposals from firms to do a Feasibility Study for an Arts Center and Sports
Center located in South Walton.

RFP Deadline: August 25, 2009 no later than 3:00PM (cst) and will open immediately
thereafter.

RPF deadline is 14 days after the Public Hearing to increase the bet tax again.

Hmmmm !

Have you called the TDC and asked? In my conversation with the TDC a couple of minutes ago, I found out very quickly that this is in regards to the 1/2 cent that was approved by the BCC a while ago. This is the next step in that process. It is not another 1/2 cent increase.

**WCTA** · 07-31-2009, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by BeachSiO2

Have you called the TDC and asked? In my conversation with the TDC a couple of minutes ago, I found out very quickly that this is in regards to the 1/2 cent that was approved by the BCC a while ago. This is the next step in that process. It is not another 1/2 cent increase.

Yes I did call and was told that Mr. Mares was on vacation. Why don't you tell all what the Public Notice Is About. I know of no reason that there would be a next step. The prior 1/2 cent was approved and was included in their 2010 budget as a revenue source.

What is the next step ?

**BeachSiO2** · 07-31-2009, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by WCTA

Yes I did call and was told that Mr. Mares was on vacation. Why don't you tell all what the Public Notice Is About. I know of no reason that there would be a next step. The prior 1/2 cent was approved and was included in their 2010 budget as a revenue source.

What is the next step ?

If you left a message, I would assume that you will be hearing back from him as soon as he gets back from vacation. I will let him speak for the details. I just asked the question of "is the TDC trying to pass another 1/2 cent" and got a "no, this is the ordinance for the first 1/2 cent that was passed by the County Commission a while ago."

**WCTA** · 07-31-2009, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by BeachSiO2

If you left a message, I would assume that you will be hearing back from him as soon as he gets back from vacation. I will let him speak for the details. I just asked the question of "is the TDC trying to pass another 1/2 cent" and got a "no, this is the ordinance for the first 1/2 cent that was passed by the County Commission a while ago."

You are correct. Mr. Mares and I just had a phone conversation concerning the "Public Hearing Notice" - he called while on vacation to discuss the Notice.

Just to be totally transparent on our process:

1. We called Mr. Mares office this morning and were told that he was on vacation. No one gave us a cell phone number to reach him while on vacation.

2. We called a member of the TDC board and asked about the Notice and they were unaware of the Notice and what it was for.

3. We called a county commissioner and had a conversation with them about the "Notice of Public Hearing" and they had no insight into the ad or its purpose.

After discussing this with the TDC director he states that the hearing is a part of the Statute dealing with the legal requirements for passing an "ordinance" dealing with the 1/2 cent previously voted on as a "resolution" that the board passed earlier (from 4 to 41/2 cents).

The TDC Director states that this "Notice For A Public Hearing" and the RFP for a Cultural and Sports Complex are not connected.

Our understanding of the structure of the various components of the TDC bed tax structure are restricted as to their purpose and would not allow for funding of the "Cultural Center and Sports Complex" without another 1/2 cent increase if the economic feasibility study indicates that the project were feasible.

The Bed tax statute limits the total tax allowable under the law at 5 cents and an allowable use for the remaining available tax would be for "Sports Complexes".

Note: The time elapsed from the original post to Mr. Mares call was 43 minutes while he was on vacation.

**TooFarTampa** · 07-31-2009, 04:11 PM

Awful nice of Mr. Mares to return your call while on vacation!

Why do you think these complexes (since it does seem like two separate ideas that are being studied) would require a bed tax, either existing or future? Why could it not be part of the county budget?

I would expect that revenues in the county would pick up once the economy turns around, and the budget might allow for something like this.

**coastal-edge** · 07-31-2009, 07:57 PM

Interesting. Love the intensity of this board, everyone here has great connections and insight. I haven't read the RFP yet as I just saw the post, but I can't wait to see what's up!

**coastal-edge** · 07-31-2009, 09:19 PM

This was JUST POSTED YESTERDAY...
Sports Economic Impact

Posted: 9:09 PM Jul 30, 2009
Last Updated: 9:09 PM Jul 30, 2009
Reporter: Tim Owens
Email Address: tim.owens@wjhg.com

When it comes to sports in Panama City Beach, there's something for everyone.
We're getting closer and closer to becoming a 12 month sports destination. Our main bread and butter is youth baseball and youth fast pitch, we're real big in cheerleading. We got two months in June and July, just week after week of cheerleading camps. And thousands of kids are involved in that, so we're in a little bit of everything. Today it's generating almost 40 million dollars economic impact for the community, over a hundred thousand room nights and that's a tremendous impact, especially in some of our shoulder season times
Then toss in triathlons, swimming, fishing tournaments, and soccer among other sports are bringing thousands of first time visitors to the area!
And our sporting events here, we are every year, reaching over 40 states within the United States, and the good thing is they do want to come back.
A big reason for all this, Frank Brown Park, built in the early 80's, renovated in the 90's and again in the past few years.
Without a doubt one of the finest multi-recreational facilities in the United States. There's also four brand new tennis courts, 4 outdoor basketball courts, 7 soccer fields, a mile and a half waking trail, it's just a facility we're very proud of.

We have the opportunity especially with the airport opening May of next year, that's gonna open up a whole new avenue of what we do up another level.

I found this while researching news on the topic.

That's a lot of economic imact. I'm going to look closer at the stats to see how they add up.

**wrobert** · 07-31-2009, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by TooFarTampa

Awful nice of Mr. Mares to return your call while on vacation!

Why do you think these complexes (since it does seem like two separate ideas that are being studied) would require a bed tax, either existing or future? Why could it not be part of the county budget?

I would expect that revenues in the county would pick up once the economy turns around, and the budget might allow for something like this.

On come on now. They are tourists. They can not vote. But they can pay. Bleeding them dry seems to be the way of most Florida counties.

**SWGB** · 08-01-2009, 01:26 AM

Originally Posted by wrobert

On come on now. They are tourists. They can not vote. But they can pay. Bleeding them dry seems to be the way of most Florida counties.

It's modeled after the "Disney" experience.

**coastal-edge** · 08-01-2009, 12:16 PM

A few more stories of economic impact. ... Gulf Shores

The positives at this point are economic (yeah it would bring a large amount of people into an area that may not appreciate the overflow, but...). I have not looked into the bed tax, but with this kind of attendance, it would seem like an additional bedtax could be a possibility. There are many other ways to pay though, so I'll post some examples as I find them.

The Alabama Sports Festival held at the end of June in Birmingham produced an estimated economic impact in excess of $16 million. The event attracted 6,000 athletes and 12,000 visitors to the city. Athletes used 29 Birmingham area sports venues to compete in basketball, archery, cycling, lacrosse, gymnastics, soccer, diving, wrestling and other sports competitions. The Alabama Sports Festival is the state�s largest multi-sport event with 20 different sports being represented and was a featured event of state tourism�s Year of Alabama Sports promotion. www.alagames.com

The Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission brought 28 unique sports events to the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area in 2008. These events brought in an additional 10,081 room nights and resulted in a total tourism impact of $3,004,227. �The growth of this niche tourism market has had an obvious positive impact on our expanding shoulder season,� said Herb Malone, president/CEO of the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). �Last year was the first full year of the sports commission functioning as a department within the CVB, and I think the results show that this move was a great decision. Plus, our area is fortunate to have a large selection of top-notch facilities, thanks to the Cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.�

Showcasing these facilities along with the other destination amenities is a key component in the sports commission�s work. One of the commission�s highlights for 2008 was the AHSAA 4A-6A State Track Championships that brought 1,500 high school athletes from around the state to the Gulf Shores Sportsplex. �This championship was one of our area�s most successful events for the year,� said Beth Gendler, director of sales for the CVB. �The event generated over 1,200 room nights for the area, which ultimately resulted in a $377,000 tourism impact. With numbers like these, you can see why we are excited to host this event for the next three years.�

The sports commission is a partnership between the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce and the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. For more information visit www.alabamabeachsports.com

This is just another sample market, I haven't factored in the projected area yet...

**wrobert** · 08-01-2009, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by coastal-edge

A few more stories of economic impact. ... Gulf Shores
This is just another sample market, I haven't factored in the projected area yet...

So if we took what the average collections are now and then looked at the projected growth by getting people here in the off season, that should be more than enough to pay for the venue at the current tax rate without an additional increase.

**coastal-edge** · 08-01-2009, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by wrobert

So if we took what the average collections are now and then looked at the projected growth by getting people here in the off season, that should be more than enough to pay for the venue at the current tax rate without an additional increase.

Wouldn't it be great if you could just turn that in for the RFP and everyone was happy?!

**Jdarg** · 08-01-2009, 10:08 PM

One word- vision.

Wouldn't it be amazing if more people around here had it.

Vision for the people actually living here,

Vision for the people trying to get more people to buy homes here.

Vision for the people who try to get more visitors to come here.

**GoodWitch58** · 08-02-2009, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by jdarg

One word- vision.

Wouldn't it be amazing if more people around here had it.

Vision for the people actually living here,

Vision for the people trying to get more people to buy homes here.

Vision for the people who try to get more visitors to come here.

Sure would. IMO that is one of the missing ingredients...

somewhere, though, there is a huge file with Vision 2020 on the front of it...many of us worked for weeks on that project back in 1999-2000--and as far as I know, nothing ever came of it.

Now, the powers that be in local government have cranked up yet another Vision project...and when I inquired about what happened to all the info from the other one, I was told that information "was no longer relevant"...

I guess I just don't see how a Vision developed for 2020, in 2000, can be completely out of date in 2009---

Maybe someone can enlighten me...

**Busta Hustle** · 08-02-2009, 10:10 AM

people, people your vision is a reality today a Hammock Bay. 3000 acres ball fields tennis courts swimming pools nature trails fitness centers and some of the lowest housing cost and amenities fees in Florida.

Vision an electric bus loading children every afternoon from the southside education centers for the short trek across scenic 331 to a bay side park unequaled and provided by a visionary ahead of his time.

and no investment $$ needed for studies or building of or the day to day operation of the facilities on the part of an overtaxed citizenry.

**Mango** · 08-02-2009, 10:35 AM

My neighbor is involved in a baseball camp further north of us that houses children from all over the world, mainly China, because the facility is not located in a resort area. A multi Sports complex in a resort area will have no bounds and with the international airport nearing completion, with the right marketing, this could be a huge boon for the area. I can't tell you how seriously other countries take their youth sports. Couple that with sports tournaments and such inter-state and the cultural arts section... wow.
I hope whoever they decide to use for the feasibility study also examines the international aspect of this well.

Check out page 28 of the pdf link above. It has the different sports broken down by acreage. I tried to copy and paste it.

**beachmouse** · 08-02-2009, 01:25 PM

One thing to remember with youth sports events is that it's not always kids + parents on the trip. It's frequently kids + chaperone that may or may not adequately supervise the young athletes. My parents' condo complex has had to kick out a team from one of the post-Christmas high school basketball tournaments for several years running because of inadequate supervision from the alleged responsible adults involved and the kids doing moderately dumb stuff unchecked.

**idlewind** · 08-02-2009, 01:36 PM

This is such a good idea it is scary that it is being considered. Our area promotes family oriented tourism, so having sports activities for youth will bring in large numbers of families and participants. Adult sports bring in large crowds as well. If scheduled right the project could provide needed relief during non-peak months.

**coastal-edge** · 08-02-2009, 11:12 PM

The bottom line is...

Is it worthwhile to add an additional bedtax to pay for a long-term investment in the community?

What are the benefits?

Economically: The facility attracts nonresident visitors who spend money in the local community both inside and outside of the events and facilities they visit. This new outside money creates income and jobs for community residents (via economic impact), thus completing the cycle.

Good will... Yes, competetive sports are income producing, but another wonderful benefit is that they provide outreach possibilites for the local community. Is is also an alternative to the beach that may extend the stay of visitors during off-season months.

Desired result: When community residents, and seasonal "guests" provide the initial funds, the return on investment is in the form of new jobs and more household income that come from the greater economic impact of the project. This could provide another desperately needed funding source during the shoulder seasons.

The purpose of the economic-impact studies (in the posts above) is to measure the economic return to residents. This has been lightly illustrated in the few case studies by PCB and Gulf Shores

The return is farther reaching then just an indoor pool and some additional playing fields.

Additional "sharing" possibilities, and site/event attraction will come from: local college programs, highschool athletics, regional tournaments, international events.

The possibilities are wide and varied.

...Still researching, and will share a few more case studies as I find them.

**justpassinthrough** · 08-03-2009, 06:03 AM

It sounds like a wonderful idea. I can't tell you how many families we know from north Georgia that make the yearly trek to Panama City because their son or daughter is playing in a big baseball or softball tournament there. Plus the average stay is one week minimum - if games get rained out and have to be rescheduled - it lasts longer. Most of these families make it their yearly vacation.