Some quick points of economic data that should solidify the decision to upgrade the existing fields to artificial surfaces with lighting.
The city of Richmond reported that the 4 weekends associated with the Jefferson Cup youth soccer tournaments in 2019 were responsible for $25M of economic impact including 32,000 hotel room bookings.
Mason Sports Park (focused more on baseball) in Warren County, Ohio hosts 93 sports events per year, 65 of which are youth events and estimates $27M in direct income to Warren County with a total impact of $38M. In 2017 just 4 tournaments at the park yielded $3M in total economic impact and 5500 hotel rooms.
Lastly, and perhaps the best comp for Darden, Matthews Sportsplex in North Carolina launched phase 1 in 2013 which included 5 synthetic fields, a restroom building, shelter, playgrounds and trails. A Darden Towe clone this facility hosted 17 unique tournaments in 2014/15 that included soccer, rugby, field hockey, and lacrosse showing immediate opportunities for economic impact and the versatility of the fields to accommodate many different sporting events. It should be noted that the same facility added 6 more fields and championship stadium just 4 years later and current estimates have its economic impact around $80M.
Scott Roth, President/Founder Three Notch'd Brewing Company about 2 years ago on Converting Darden Towe Park Into an Economic Development Machine
Some quick points of economic data that should solidify the decision to upgrade the existing fields to artificial surfaces with lighting.
The city of Richmond reported that the 4 weekends associated with the Jefferson Cup youth soccer tournaments in 2019 were responsible for $25M of economic impact including 32,000 hotel room bookings.
Mason Sports Park (focused more on baseball) in Warren County, Ohio hosts 93 sports events per year, 65 of which are youth events and estimates $27M in direct income to Warren County with a total impact of $38M. In 2017 just 4 tournaments at the park yielded $3M in total economic impact and 5500 hotel rooms.
Lastly, and perhaps the best comp for Darden, Matthews Sportsplex in North Carolina launched phase 1 in 2013 which included 5 synthetic fields, a restroom building, shelter, playgrounds and trails. A Darden Towe clone this facility hosted 17 unique tournaments in 2014/15 that included soccer, rugby, field hockey, and lacrosse showing immediate opportunities for economic impact and the versatility of the fields to accommodate many different sporting events. It should be noted that the same facility added 6 more fields and championship stadium just 4 years later and current estimates have its economic impact around $80M.
https://www.sportsdestinations.com/sports/sports-facilities/sports-facilitieseconomic-impact-20277