Gulfport Looks to Increase Sports Tourism in the City

Sports tourism is a growing global travel industry, bringing in over $600 billion annually worldwide. The City of Gulfport has a $10 million bond to use and is looking into ways to cash in on this need for sports destinations.

The city is weighing two multimillion dollar options for enhancing sports tourism in the area. Billy Hewes, Mayor of Gulfport, says, "We just had a large discussion about what would be possible from a sports tourism standpoint and we’ve really become a mecca with our sports complex with softball, the water parks, and soccer."

Renovating the Gulfport Sportsplex is just one of the ideas on the table. The city is also considering building a natatorium pool complex. Gulfport is bringing in a third party that works with the Y.M.C.A. to do a feasibility study on both options. Ricky Dombrowski, Gulfport City Councilman for Ward 2, says, "We need to study it more to make sure we know what we’re getting into if we build a natatorium, but we want to make sure that the natatorium is used not only for competitions, but for the elderly and the seniors."

This feasibility study will be used to determine whether a natatorium or renovations to the Sportsplex will be a better idea for the City of Gulfport. Some city officials feel the Sportsplex is a better idea. Hewes also says, "I think it’s a no brainer as far as what’s going to give the best return, and that is the ball fields, but you could make an argument for a natatorium."

The main objection to the natatorium is the monthly upkeep, which will be around $50,000 per month, and the maintenance of the Sportsplex additions will be much lower. Dombrowski closes, "Well, it’s all about bringing tourism, more folks to Gulfport, and some dollars, talking about the Sportsplex. We have three hotels going there. We want to keep be able to fill those up."

Regardless of which project the city chooses, you can bet that it will make Gulfport even more desirable to visitors.