EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) -
The Evansville Convention and Visitors Bureau gives an idea of where a new sports complex could be built, and just how much money we may be letting go by not having one already.
Close to $30 million is what the director of the CVB says the city and county could easily be missing out on. He plans on changing that.
No one will soon forget the controversy surrounding the proposed sports complex at Roberts Stadium, even Mayor Lloyd Winnecke taking a stand on it last week.
"We're not going to build softball complexes there," said Winnecke.
That was strike one, but as far as Bob Warren and his staff at the Convention and Visitor's Bureau are concerned, the ball is still in play.
"We're shopping around," said Warren.
Shopping around for a new location. A feasibility study that's expected back soon will help. But 14 News learns locations off Burkhardt, Green River, and Lynch Roads are all being considered for a large scale sports complex.
"I think it's just a matter of having all of the facilities that can accommodate these different sports marketing planners," said Warren.
Right now, baseball, softball, and soccer facilities are in the highest demand and bring in the largest groups.
"If you get the larger tournaments, you're talking about people coming to you from virtually every state in the union," said Warren.
But competition for those tournaments is high. Warren says his sports marketing team is already making rounds at trade shows and building relationships with those in the industry. He believes Evansville's location will help in recruiting tournaments and the dollars that come along with them.
"I think anything that draws business to the community is a good idea and good for the new businesses going in downtown." said resident Kelly Traylor.
A location has not been chosen yet. That study is expected back in about 30 days. We'll of keep you updated.
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