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Push for Historic Triangle Sports Facility

Could an outdoor sports complex draw more people to the Historic Triangle? 

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WVEC) -- It's an idea to draw in more visitors to the Historic Triangle.

Instead of colonial history, there is a shift to diversify attractions by concentrating on athletics.

Members with the Williamsburg Hotel & Motel Association, City of Williamsburg, James City and York Counties, and other organizations recently paid an out-of-state group to update a 2014 feasibility study on a proposed indoor-sports facility.

Hotel & Motel Association President and Williamsburg City Council member Doug Pons believes sports will help reposition the Historic Triangle as a top leader in tourism.

“Sports diversifies our tourism offering in a complementary way,” Pons say. “We're not bringing in a museum or anything to compete with Busch Gardens or Colonial Williamsburg, so sports complements those attractions already here.”

According to the study, the more than $18-million dollar building could potentially bring in more than $30-million dollars in economic impact through the first five years.

Pons says two of their biggest challenges right now include where to put the indoor facility and how to get three jurisdictions on board with how to fund and operate it.

Pons believes the facility pays for itself indirectly.

“When people come they stay in hotels, eat at restaurants, buy gas and it’s from those tax dollars that justify the expense of building an indoor sports facility,” Pons says.

According to the report:

  • The facility must generate significant spending and overnight stays in the market
  • The facility must create a premier asset that adds to the destination’s ability to bring non-local visitors to the market throughout the year
  • The facility must create a premier asset that promotes and supports participation in sports for local residents
  • The facility must take advantage of the trends in youth and amateur sports tourism while creating a differentiated, long-term, flexible asset

You can read the report here:

2014 feasibility study

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