Gulfport Sportsplex expansion

The Gulfport Sportsplex has been bringing in millions of dollars into the Gulf Coast for years. Now new turf fields highlight the first-class expansion of Gulfport’s growing sports complex.

Six state-of-the-art synthetic turf baseball and softball fields have been completed in the Gulfport Sportsplex. The new fields are not the only part of the expansion. There are also new concession stands, soccer fields, seating, and meeting rooms.

Market Manager with Leisure Services of Gulfport Jase Payne spoke with News 25 about the economic impact they expect this new expansion to have on Gulfport. “So, the sports complex, even before the turf fields were here, was bringing in about $16.8 million economic impact for the City of Gulfport and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. So, these additional fields are just going to help that number grow substantially over the next few years and into the future.”

The sportsplex has already made its mark on Gulfport’s economy. The sportsplex affects the economics of shopping, hotels, and entertainment on the Gulf Coast. Courtyard Manager Charla Fontento said, “In my 20 years I’ve been in this industry, we have seen a huge impact with the sportsplex especially with their newer fields and all of the teams that they’re bringing into the Coast. It doesn’t just affect Gulfport; it affects the Coast as a whole.”

These new fields will become major contributors to bringing in larger tournaments and even more sports tourism for the Gulf Coast.