The Historic Triangle is in the early stages of determining whether a field house or aquatic center — or both — should be built in the area to draw in additional sports tourism events as well as serving residents.
James City County sent out a request for proposals on the field house or aquatic center in April to find a firm to conduct a feasibility study in the Historic Triangle. The study would look at local and tourism needs to determine whether a sports facility should be built in the area. It would also make suggestions on where it should be located and its size. The firm conducting the research would also look at potential cost and return.
“If the research pans out, one of the big factors is [whether] we can have a positive impact on our existing local businesses, which in turn has a positive impact on the county,” said Russell Seymour, director of James City County’s Office of Economic Development.
Seymour expanded, saying it makes sense to create or add something to the area that could serve as a magnet both to bring people in and keep locals from leaving.
“Sports tourism is certainly a focus for what we’re trying to do both in James City County and in the region as a whole,” Seymour said. “… We’re just trying to see if there may be some additional opportunities out there that we haven’t explored yet.”
The Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance decided to focus on increasing sports tourism to the area in an effort to ramp up tourism during slower times of year. In the fall of 2010, work began on Sports Williamsburg, a committee responsible for drawing sporting events to the area.
Sports Williamsburg’s efforts began fully in 2011. That year had 9,390 room nights booked for sports tourism. In 2012, 14,438 room nights were booked for sports tourism and the area saw $3.9 million in economic impact.
So far for 2013, about 20,000 room nights have been booked. About 15,000 of those nights and an estimated $4.3 million to $5.3 million in economic impact come from three upcoming events: The Rev3 Williamsburg, Hogan’s Lacrosse Revolutionary Tourney and the National Softball Association Girls’ Fast Pitch Class B World Series.
Seymour referenced the softball world series as a successful event: It will occupy several fields at six locations in the Historic Triangle this summer. The girls visiting the area to compete in the series will range in age from 8 to 18, which means family and friends will likely come along.
“If there’s an opportunity for us to expand upon that that makes sense for the county and for the region then this is something that we at least want to do our homework on to see what opportunities might be there,” Seymour said.
James City County took the lead on putting together the request for proposals after a facility steering committee met to determine what information it desired from the commissioned study. That committee was made up of representatives from the City of Williamsburg; James City, New Kent and York counties; Economic Development and Parks and Recreation departments from each of those localities; the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance; Williamsburg-James City County Schools; the College of William and Mary; the Williamsburg Aquatic Club and the Williamsburg Volleyball Club.
Of that group, the three Historic Triangle localities — including Parks and Recreation and Economic Development representation — and the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance will be responsible for reviewing proposals and conducting interviews of the applicants.
Responses to the request for proposals were due May 22. A “high number” of proposals were received, according to Seymour, though he could not confirm how many proposals were received. The group has been narrowed down and interviews will be scheduled, and possibly started, before the end of the month.
