KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Hotels in Kalamazoo County voted to establish funding for the development of a new $40 million indoor sports facility, organizers from Discover Kalamazoo announced Wednesday.
Starting June 1, hotels with 35 rooms or more will collect a 4% assessment on visitor stays of less than 30 days that will go towards the acquisition, construction, and maintenance of the Kalamazoo County Event Center Assessment District (KCECAD), organizers said.
The facility’s initial design features space for eight basketball courts or 16 volleyball courts, as well as an indoor turf field, according to organizers, who said it will serve the local community –in particularly youth– during the week and will also host regional tournaments on weekends.
- Previous coverage: Hotels in Kalamazoo County to vote on 4% assessment to fund youth sports complex
“Sports tourism continues to be a major driver of economic impact for our community,” Brian Persky, director of business development for Discover Kalamazoo, said. “In 2024 alone, more than 50 sporting events brought an estimated $30.3 million in direct visitor spending to Kalamazoo, thanks in large part to the efforts of our sports partners in the community. With the addition of this new facility, we look forward to building on that success, attracting even more events, visitors, and opportunities that will strengthen our local economy and enhance the vibrant sports culture we’ve worked hard to grow.”…