EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) – Four new sports complexes are being built around Tri-State, hoping to bring economic benefits similar to what Evansville has seen with its sports complex.
Deaconess Sports Park has been around since 2015, and the Goebel Soccer Complex has been around even longer. During that time, they had a huge impact on the local economy. Now, other nearby cities want to do the same.
When the two sports parks opened in Evansville, they made a huge difference in the area.
“The impact of the Evansville Sports Complex is enormous,” said Visit Evansville & CEO Alexis Berggren.
Visit Evansville says since 2015, the two sports complexes in Evansville have generated an economic impact of nearly $98 million. This comes from the money spent around the city, as well as the more than 112,000 hotel room nights generated due to the parks and events.
Visit Evansville says the parks are especially impactful during the pandemic, when people are more comfortable outside.
“Amateur sport has been a huge boon to us in terms of staying relevant during the pandemic and also coming out of it,” said Berggren.
It won’t be long before Evansville isn’t alone with its sports complex. Plans, and even early-stage construction, have begun for complexes in Henderson, Madisonville, Owensboro and Warrick County.
“I’m not too concerned about what you call a youth sports arms race at this point,” Berggren said. “I think there will come a time, maybe, where the market flattens out, but I think we’re pretty far from that at the moment.”
Visit Evansville says having more goals can improve the entire Tri-State, making it more relevant to people outside the area.
“Really, the growth didn’t scare me at all, we wanted to be a part of it,” Berggren said.
Click here to view all upcoming events at the sports complex in Evansville.
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