Lawrence Sports Facilities – A Field of Dreams?

Athletes and tourists alike are flocking to Lawrence to utilize its state-of-the-art sports facilities.

| 2017 Q3 | story by BJ Harris, photos by Steven Hertzog
 City of Lawrence

Rock Chalk Park

Has Lawrence become a field of dreams? While it’s not quite that simple, that has certainly been the case for sports facilities in Lawrence and Douglas County. The area’s premiere sports facilities, such as Rock Chalk Park, Rim Rock Farm and the Sports Pavilion Lawrence, are attracting youth and amateur athletes from across the nation. And those athletes and their families are contributing a great deal to the local economy.

According to the National Association of Sports Commissions, estimated visitor spending associated with sports events was $9.45 billion in 2015. In Kansas, sports tourism has seen tremendous growth, as well, with the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) and NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) committed to hosting 25 regional and national championships in the state during the next five years. Those events have an economic impact of more than $50 million and include the NCAA Cross Country Regional and NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Prelims, coming to Lawrence in 2020. Visitor spending includes money spent on entry fees, equipment and venue rental, but also accounts for meals, retail shopping, lodging and travel costs. And, the good news for communities such as Lawrence that have invested in sports tourism is that it’s growing.

 City

Dr. Sheahon Zenger addresses the Junior Olympic athletes on opening night at Rock Chalk Park.

The Hardwood Classic, held annually at Sports Pavilion Lawrence, brings in $2.5 million in visitor spending and more than $400,000 in local taxes. Not to mention national attention—some of the best basketball prospects will make their first, but hopefully not their last, trips to Lawrence. This past winter, Heart of America Volleyball tournaments, also held at Sports Pavilion Lawrence, totaled nearly $10 million in visitor spending during the course of 11 tournaments from January to April. That event shows the diversity of Sports Pavilion Lawrence as well as the diversity of potential events in Lawrence.

In addition to the financial gains, a strong youth and amateur sports market can have a positive impact on the overall image of the community. Just as universities often view their athletic programs as the “welcome mat” to the college, sports events can offer a wonderful opportunity to showcase all of the great amenities in a community.

 City

Olympian and multiple Gold medal winner Carl Lewis encourages the young athletes to respect their competition.

During the Junior Olympics, organizations such as Downtown Lawrence, the Watkins Museum of History, eXplore Lawrence, The University of Kansas and more came together to create opportunities for thousands of visitors to get out and enjoy the community. These efforts not only create additional opportunities for economic impact but also can turn visitors into future marketers. A positive visitor experience can send participants back into the world spreading good news about all of the great things to see and do in Lawrence, Kansas.

Likewise, sports events can add to a sense of community. Even the smallest events still require an immense amount of collaboration across the community. This can lead to new relationships, business partnerships and additional opportunities for nonprofit and for-profit organizations alike. In some cases, sports events have been credited with the development of new businesses, creating unique opportunities for enterprising entrepreneurs. Bringing together volunteers and businesses can create an emotional impact that will be evident long after the trophies have been lifted.

With tremendous community support and the leap of faith made by community leaders to invest in world-class facilities, Lawrence is positioned to become a major player in the sports tourism industry. The recent successes are proof that we have become a field of dreams for sporting events, but now that organizations have seen excellent event execution and a strong commitment by local leaders, volunteers, the university and community members, the goal is to entice them to continue coming back.

 City of Lawrence
Share.

138 Comments

  1. My brother suggested I might like this web site. He was entirely right.
    This post actually made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much time
    I had spent for this information! Thanks!

  2. Hi there to every body, it’s my first visit of this web site; this web site includes amazing and truly good data for readers.|

  3. What’s up to all, how is the whole thing, I think every one is getting more from this site, and your views are nice in support of new visitors.|

  4. I simply couldn’t go away your web site prior to suggesting that I actually loved the standard info an individual supply to your guests? Is gonna be again often to investigate cross-check new posts|

  5. Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice even as you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a blog web site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I were a little bit familiar of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept|

  6. Greate article. Keep writing such kind of information on your site.
    Im really impressed by it.
    Hi there, You have performed an excellent job. I will certainly digg it and in my view
    suggest to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited
    from this website.

  7. Wonderful beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a weblog website?
    The account aided me a acceptable deal. I were tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright transparent concept

  8. The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a 30 foot
    drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views.
    I know this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!

  9. You are so cool! I do not suppose I’ve read something like that before.
    So great to find another person with some genuine thoughts on this subject.
    Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This web site is
    one thing that is needed on the web, someone
    with some originality!

  10. Attractive element of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to claim that I acquire
    in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing for your feeds or even I
    fulfillment you get entry to constantly fast.

  11. Hmm it appears like your website ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so
    I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
    I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole
    thing. Do you have any tips for first-time blog writers?
    I’d definitely appreciate it.

  12. Hello just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same outcome.|

  13. I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this blog. I really hope to see the same high-grade content by you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own, personal website now 😉

  14. After looking over a number of the blog articles on your site, I really appreciate your way of blogging. I added it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back soon. Take a look at my website as well and tell me your opinion.

  15. Wow, fantastic blog layout! How long have you been running a blog for?
    you made blogging glance easy. The entire look of your site is excellent, as neatly as the content material!

  16. We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.

    Your web site provided us with valuable information to work on.
    You’ve done an impressive job and our entire community will be grateful to you.

  17. What i don’t realize is in reality how you are now not actually
    a lot more neatly-favored than you may be now.
    You are very intelligent. You know thus significantly
    when it comes to this matter, made me in my view imagine it
    from numerous various angles. Its like men and women are
    not fascinated except it is one thing to do with
    Girl gaga! Your own stuffs outstanding. Always take care of it up!

  18. I want to to thank you for this excellent read!! I certainly loved every little bit of it.
    I have you book-marked to check out new stuff you post…

  19. Just wish to say your article is as astounding. The clarity in your
    post is simply cool and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject.

    Fine with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep
    up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the enjoyable work.

  20. Admiring the persistence you put into your website and in depth information you present.
    It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed material.
    Fantastic read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.

  21. Hiya very nice website!! Guy .. Excellent .. Superb ..

    I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds also?
    I am happy to search out so many helpful info right here in the put up,
    we want work out more techniques in this regard, thank you for
    sharing. . . . . .

  22. Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this site.

    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very
    difficult to get that “perfect balance” between usability and visual
    appeal. I must say you’ve done a excellent job with this.
    In addition, the blog loads super quick for me on Opera. Superb Blog!

  23. Terrific work! That is the type of info that are supposed to
    be shared across the internet. Shame on the seek engines for
    not positioning this submit upper! Come on over and
    talk over with my website . Thank you =)

  24. Admiring the commitment you put into your blog and in depth information you offer. It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same out of date rehashed information. Excellent read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.

  25. I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this site.
    I’m hoping to check out the same high-grade blog posts from you in the future as well.
    In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now 😉

  26. I have seen that car insurance providers know the cars which are vulnerable to accidents as well as other risks. Additionally , they know what type of cars are susceptible to higher risk as well as higher risk they have got the higher a premium amount. Understanding the simple basics involving car insurance will help you choose the right type of insurance policy that should take care of your preferences in case you happen to be involved in an accident. Many thanks for sharing a ideas on your blog.

  27. Its like you read my thoughts! You seem to grasp so much approximately this,
    such as you wrote the e book in it or something.
    I believe that you simply could do with a few percent
    to power the message home a bit, however other than that, this is
    excellent blog. A great read. I will definitely be back.

  28. Thanks for this article. I’d also like to mention that it can possibly be hard if you are in school and merely starting out to initiate a long credit ranking. There are many scholars who are only trying to survive and have a long or favourable credit history is often a difficult matter to have.

  29. Neat blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from
    somewhere? A theme like yours with a few
    simple adjustements would really make my blog shine. Please
    let me know where you got your theme. Cheers

  30. Does your website have a contact page? I’m having
    a tough time locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an e-mail.
    I’ve got some recommendations for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
    Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.

  31. Hmm it seems like your site ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess
    I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your
    blog. I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to
    everything. Do you have any tips for beginner blog writers?
    I’d really appreciate it.

  32. My brother recommended I would possibly like this blog.

    He was totally right. This submit actually made my day. You cann’t imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info!
    Thanks!

  33. My brother recommended I would possibly like this website.

    He was entirely right. This submit truly made my day. You
    cann’t imagine just how a lot time I had spent for this information!
    Thanks!

  34. Does your site have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an e-mail.

    I’ve got some suggestions for your blog you
    might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I
    look forward to seeing it develop over time.

  35. Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as long
    as I provide credit and sources back to your blog? My blog is in the exact same niche
    as yours and my users would certainly benefit from a lot of the information you provide here.
    Please let me know if this okay with you. Thanks a lot!

  36. Hello there! This blog post couldn’t be written any better! Looking at this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He continually kept talking about this. I will forward this information to him. Fairly certain he’s going to have a good read. Thank you for sharing!|

  37. It’s vital to note, that in comparatively few firms are general staff allowed to signal for the corporate.

    You can consider Shopify, Bonanza, eBay, Etsy, Fb Market,
    or Craigslist, to name a number of. Ruby
    Lane, Facebook Market, Nextdoor, and Etsy are recognized on-line clothes selling sites.
    Simply, get links from websites with hyperlinks
    and pages with links! It’s important not just to share
    hyperlinks however relatively create worthwhile content that informs or entertains while
    seamlessly incorporating these links into it-this way you’re offering worth
    whereas driving conversions. Whereas cart abandonment continues to
    hover around 70%, electronic mail advertising and marketing presents a silver lining to
    recover these misplaced gross sales. IP by itself presents an unreliable but nonetheless enormously invaluable service, merely sending the packets via the community
    with out checking to see if they all get there.

    Google gives many key phrase strategies immediately in the search
    to help people find essentially the most relevant outcomes.
    Additionally, you can at all times attain out for help by
    contacting their support group. In some situations,
    buyer help groups have to troubleshoot the problem over the telephone or through a contact middle.

    Check out my site … website traffic hacks

  38. I do not even understand how I ended up right here, however I believed this put up used to be great.
    I do not understand who you’re but certainly you are
    going to a well-known blogger if you happen to are not already.
    Cheers!

  39. Hi there! Quick question that’s totally off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly?
    My web site looks weird when viewing from my iphone4.
    I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to fix this issue.
    If you have any suggestions, please share. Thanks!

  40. You really make it appear really easy with your presentation however I to find this matter to be
    really something which I think I’d never understand.
    It kind of feels too complicated and very huge for
    me. I am taking a look ahead on your subsequent publish, I’ll attempt to get the hold of it!

  41. certainly like your web-site but you need to check
    the spelling on several of your posts. Many of them are
    rife with spelling problems and I to find it very troublesome
    to inform the reality on the other hand I’ll certainly come again again.

  42. What i do not realize is if truth be told how you
    are no longer actually much more neatly-appreciated than you may be now.
    You’re very intelligent. You know therefore significantly in relation to this topic, produced
    me for my part believe it from numerous varied angles. Its like women and men aren’t involved except
    it is something to do with Girl gaga! Your individual stuffs great.
    At all times maintain it up!

  43. I am not certain the place you’re getting your information, but great topic. I needs to spend a while studying much more or working out more. Thank you for magnificent info I used to be looking for this info for my mission.

  44. Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after reading through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back often!

Leave A Reply