News Archive
History
RSF Sports Complex May Update
April 30, 2024
Boldt reported that there has been a great deal of progress on identifying an operations partner to assist in the operating of the sports complex. READ MORE
ETA Sports Releases the 2023 "State of the Industry
April 24, 2024
“The sport tourism industry continued to grow in 2023, increasing by 7% over sports traveler volume in 2022,” said John David, President & CEO of Sports ETA. READ MORE
Chub Stewart
April 3, 2024
Over time we lose those close and important to us. It is a time of sadness but also a time to reflect. The recent loss of Howard “Chub” Stewart strikes numerous emotions for me – mostly of gratefulness and honor. READ MORE
RSF Sports Complex April Update
Currently the City is focusing on two major steps in the planning of the RSRC READ MORE
Rocky Mount NC Sports Complex Booming!
March 22, 2024
Rocky Mount NC Sports Complex Booming! The southern-charmed city of Rocky Mount, North Carolina is located just an hour east of Raleigh. Not only does this manufacturing hub offer beautiful parks and authentic attractions, but it is also home to Eastern North Carolina’s premier sports and entertainment venue: The Rocky Mount Event Center (RMEC). READ MORE
RSF Receives Grant from Rochester Business
March 6, 2024
The Rochester Sports Foundation (RSF) continues to gain support from Rochester businesses with their work to assist in improving sports and recreation facilities for the Rochester area. READ MORE
Rochester Sports Complex March Update
March 4, 2024
Since the passage of the November vote supporting the Regional Sports and Recreation Complex there has been a lot of activity. READ MORE
Rochester Sports Tourism Numbers Bounce back in 2023
February 1, 2024
The work of the Rochester Sports staff, coupled with the end of the pandemic, has helped Rochester's reel in its portion of the $40B annual sports tourism dollars - returning to pre-pandemic numbers. READ MORE
Rochester Sports Banquet Silent Auction is a huge success!
February 1, 2024
The Rochester Area Sports Banquet was held in Rochester on January 15, 2024. It was a great success and fun night run by Rochester Sports and sponsored by Eagle Rock Bank. The Rochester Sports Foundation administered the Sports Banquet Silent Auction sponsored by Shjon Podein's TEAM 25. The sports themed auction raises money for sports facility improvements through the RSF Grant Program. READ MORE
NJCAA Championships bring economic boost to Cedar Rapids
November 15, 2023
Former Rochester Sports Sales Manager and current Tourism Director in Cedar Rapids Iowa says the economy can expect a one-million-dollar boost. READ MORE
Rochester voters approve $65M for new sports complex
November 7, 2023
Rochester voters approved $65M in future tax revenues to fund a proposed sports and recreation complex. READ MORE
Economic Impact of Sports Tourism – Retail
October 17, 2023
Rochester is fortunate to host between 100 and 120 tournaments each year that bring in an average 145,000 visitors. READ MORE
Sports Tourism at a Glance
October 4, 2023
The notion of people traveling to participate and watch sport dates back to the ancient Olympic Games and the practice of stimulating tourism through sport has existed for over a century. READ MORE
Looking Back - Sports ETA releases its “State of the Industry” Report for the $91.8 Billion Sport Tourism Industry
October 3, 2023
“Our annual State of the Industry report shows that the sport tourism industry has an economic impact of $91.8 Billion supporting 635,000 jobs in our member communities across America,” said Al Kidd, President & CEO of Sports ETA. READ MORE
Groundbreaking for Scheels Sports Park
September 23, 2023
Groundbreaking for Scheels Sports Park Construction to start for a $67 million sports complex opening in 2025 Ceremonial shovels turning over dirt Sept. 20 signaled the start of construction for a $67 million sports complex that city officials said will make Springfield a popular destination for young people competing on traveling athletic teams from throughout the Midwest and beyond. READ MORE
Rochester Sports Board of DIrector's Vote Unanimously to support sales tax extension
September 11, 2023
Rochester Sports has joined other Rochester based organizations in supporting the proposed Rochester Sales Tax Extension - which goes to the local voters on November 7th. Rochester Sports is directly involved in bringing sports tourism to the Rochester area - netting the community annually $25M in direct spending annually. READ MORE
City of Cary, N.C. receives $75 million in funding for sports complex
September 5, 2023
The City of Cary, N.C. has received $75 million in funding for a new sports complex. While the project is still in the early stages, city officials are hoping for a mid-2028 completion. READ MORE
RAEDI Board votes to support renewal of the City of Rochester’s half-cent sales tax
August 31, 2023
Media Release Date of Release: August 31, 2023 Contact: Molly Schmidt, RAEDI Marketing & Communications Director 507-288-0208 or mschmidt@raedi.com RAEDI Board votes to support renewal of the City of Rochester’s half-cent sales tax ROCHESTER, Minn. – The Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc. (RAEDI) Board of Directors passed a resolution last week to support the renewal of the city’s half-cent sales tax that would raise $205 million to support four major projects, including a $65 million regional recreation and sports complex, street reconstruction projects ($50 million), an economic vitality fund ($50 million), and $40 million for flood-control and water-quality projects. READ MORE
Rochester chamber gives its endorsement to $205 million sales tax extension
August 28, 2023
ROCHESTER – With little more than two months before a Nov. 7 special election, the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce is endorsing a renewal of the city’s half-cent sales tax that would raise $205 million for four projects, including a $65 million regional recreation and sports complex. The announcement of the chamber board's support for extending the sales tax was made in a press statement released Monday morning, Aug. 28, 2023. READ MORE
What's Happening with Pickleball?!?
August 17, 2023
Report: Building More Pickleball Courts Needs to be a Priority READ MORE
Midwest Sports Complex Growth Information
August 14, 2023
In recent years many Midwest cities have invested in new sports complexes to increase quality of life for their citizens and also hosted local and regional events and competitions. READ MORE
Impact of Sports Tourism – Restaurants
August 14, 2023
With over 300 food and/or beverage options in Rochester, there is a lot to cheer about when it comes to sports tourism. READ MORE
Rochester Sports Foundation Board Votes Unanimous Support for Proposed Complex Plan
August 8, 2023
The Board of Directors of the Rochester Sports Foundation (RSF) voted unanimously to support the newly proposed Rochester Sports and Recreation Complex. READ MORE
Pickleball America aims to be among world’s largest indoor pickleball venues
August 3, 2023
STAMFORD, Conn. — Pickleball America aims to become one of the largest indoor pickleball venues in the world as it takes over an 80,000-square-foot anchor space in the Stamford Town Center mall this summer. The organization plans to open 28 courts in two phases—Phase 1 will begin immediately with the first floor (43,000 square feet), with the second floor (37,000 square feet) opening in the following months. READ MORE
Rochester Sports Foundation Board visit Sanford Sports Complex
July 18, 2023
Each year the staff and board of Rochester Sports Foundation plans and visits a new regional sports complex. In 2021 the group went to Wisconsin Dells/ Mauston area to visit the Woodside Sports Complex. In 2022 the group went to Davenport Iowa and visited the TBK Bank "Bettplex", Coralville Iowa and the Xtream Arena and Woodmen Baseball Park. In 2023 the plan was to visit the Sanford Sports Complex in Sioux Falls SD. There is nothing like driving to and walking through a sports complex. These facilities have been planned for and financed in a way to attract visitors yet be used and enjoyed by their communities. Seeing them in person helps us to draw conclusions that we can apply to facility planning in Rochester. Watch for more details to come regarding this visit (facts, group observations and more).... READ MORE
The Benefits of Youth Sports In Local Communities (And How Businesses Can Support Them)
June 27, 2023
There’s no question—well, at least there shouldn’t be—about the importance that recreation, youth sports and park systems play in supporting, serving and improving a community. Whether it’s a rural town or a bustling metropolitan city, these assets can be both popular and important. Outside of the obvious benefits of physical activity the CDC highlights to one’s physical, mental and emotional health and well-being, studies have shown that well-designed and planned parks have the potential to reduce crime. READ MORE
Pat Sexton
June 26, 2023
We are pleased to announce our newest member to the RSF board, Pat Sexton. READ MORE
Unified tourism voice brings most success
June 24, 2023
Facilities are key to attracting and retaining top-tier events that drive economic impact and overnight hotel stays to a destination. READ MORE
Economic Impact of Sports Tourism – Hotels
June 15, 2023
Sports tourism seems to be a catch phrase these days, but it has a real economic impact. READ MORE
Farmington Utah Facility similar to proposed Rochester Sports and Recreation Complex
June 13, 2023
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Rochester council receives update on study tied to proposed sports and recreation complex
May 17, 2023
Rochester council receives update on study tied to proposed sports and recreation complex Randy Petersen, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn. Mon, May 15, 2023 at 7:05 PM CDT·3 min read READ MORE
Officials say Legacy Pointe Sports Complex will increase sports tourism in Springfield
April 20, 2023
SPRINGFIELD, ILL (WICS/WRSP) — The long-awaited sports complex is finally happening. Springfield City Council approved the Legacy Pointe Sports Complex on Tuesday night. The project has been in the works for the last couple of years, and now, the city council gave the green light for funding. READ MORE
Rebecca Tesch
April 17, 2023
Rebecca (Becca) Tesch is a strong believer in the 4 H’s: being helpful, staying honest, always hard working and having a sense of humor. READ MORE
The Sports World Flocks to Ft. Worth, TX
April 13, 2023
2022 was a banner year for sports tourism in the city of Fort Worth,TX READ MORE
Olmsted County Youth Population
April 13, 2023
OLMSTED COUNTY’S YOUTH POPULATION BY AGE 2021 READ MORE
Rochester Sports Banquet a Success!
April 10, 2023
The Rochester Sports Banquet, hosted by Rochester Sports and sponsored by ONB Bank, was successfully held on January 16th, 2023. Area athletes, teams and coaches were honored before a packed house and the Rochester Event Center. READ MORE
Sports Tourism: What Does It Mean for You and Your Community?
April 4, 2023
On a much smaller scale, sports tourism is that weekend baseball tournament that brings in 50 teams to your town. No matter how big or small, those impacts make a difference. READ MORE
Clash Wrestling Tournament
March 31, 2023
The Clash Wrestling tournament - created as a holiday wrestling tournament where the top teams from across the US came to see how they ranked against other national powerhouses in a team dual format - was first held in 2003 at the RCTC Fieldhouse. It eventually grew to be the premier team high school tournament in the country. Thanks to a dedicated group of wrestling volunteers - it has now hit its twentieth year. However, rather than being held in Rochester where it was created, it is now held in Lacrosse Wisconsin due to venue relationship issues here in Rochester. It belongs back in Rochester! READ MORE
World Tug of War held in Rochester MN 1999 and 2004
March 31, 2023
Looking Back: Rochester was host of the 2004 World Tug of War Championships! READ MORE
RochesterSports Banquet
March 26, 2023
The 17th Annual Rochester Sports Banquet is to celebrate the achievements of the top amateur athletes in the Southeastern Minnesota area, from the 2022 calendar year. The banquet was established in 2006 and is hosted by Rochester MN Sports each year. This year's silent auction proceeds will go to the Rochester Sports Foundation to assist in the development and enhancement of youth sport organizations. READ MORE
National Sports Facilities
March 26, 2023
Cities across the nation are adding high quality sports facilities READ MORE
Midwest Regional Facilities:
March 26, 2023
The map shows numerous cities and communities in the Midwest READ MORE
Rochester Facility Projects
March 26, 2023
Sports tourism was documented as a $323.42 billion industry in 2020 READ MORE
Florence Sports Complex
March 23, 2023
FLORENCE, S.C. – Florence has its latest fields of dreams with the 75-acre Florence Sports Complex. The complex (located on Jennie O'Bryan Avenue, next to the Dr. Eddie Floyd Florence Tennis Center) already has Carolina Bank Field, home to the Coastal Plain League’s Florence Flamingos. Now, it has five LED-lighted Little League Baseball fields (four batting cages for these) and an LED-lighted high school-regulation diamond (with bullpens, and players can use batting cages at Carolina Bank Field). But that’s not all. There is an LED-lighted track & field facility. The opening ceremony for Little League Baseball is 9 a.m. Saturday on the high school/regulation field (Field No. 1). And youth games will start at 10 a.m. on Fields 2 through 6. READ MORE
Rochester Sports Foundation grant to Sports Mentorship Academy
March 15, 2023
Rochester Sports Foundation, in step with the Mayo Clinic, presented sports mentorship academy with a $5,000 check to help youth needing court time to have an option. READ MORE
Quad Cities Announces Newly Branded Sports Commission
March 15, 2023
As Visit Quad Cities, the region’s official destination management and marketing organization (DMMO), reinvigorates its sports tourism direction, they announced today a newly reorganized and reimagined Quad Cities Sports Commission, now known as Sports QC Powered By Visit Quad Cities. READ MORE
Plan in the Works for Duluth
March 15, 2023
Like many places in the Northland, Duluth relies on tourism and the revenue that comes along with it, and making sure that they are up to date and in good condition is key. READ MORE
Odessa Texas
March 9, 2023
ODESSA, Texas — The path to a potential sports complex in the City of Odessa continued Wednesday night as the Parks and Recreation department hosted members of the community to further explain the process. Synergy Sports is currently performing a feasibility study that will be used to determine whether or not a sports complex could work in the city. READ MORE
Lincoln, Nebraska
March 8, 2023
LINCOLN — Developers joined a state senator on Wednesday in seeking state help to create a “destination” retail-sports-entertainment complex that would rival “The Legends” area in Kansas City, which draws 15 million visitors a year. READ MORE
Major League Pickleball
March 2, 2023
Last summer saw a new entry into the arena of elite, team-based sports leagues – and it might be the most surprising of all: Major League Pickleball. READ MORE
Kreg Kauffman Profile
March 2, 2023
In 1995, Kreg Kauffman—trial lawyer and sports enthusiast—accepted his first traumatic brain injury case and began working regularly with people with disabilities and traumatic brain injuries. READ MORE
West Monroe Invests in $22 Million Sports Tourism Complex
Pasco County, Florida
The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve plans to develop a multi-use tourism sports facility on an approximately 224-acre, county-owned parcel of land located in the Wesley Chapel area. READ MORE
Noblesville, Indiana
A consultant's report says a $38.3 million sports complex on Madison's Southeast Side can make a profit and generate millions of dollars in spending and produce hotel stays. Madison and partners can create a $38.3 million sports complex. READ MORE
Clark County
February 21, 2023
A proposed $44 million youth sports complex in Clark County could lead to millions in new investment and provide a needed boost to area businesses and hotels, local leaders said. READ MORE
THINK OUTSIDE THE TYPICAL SPORTS BOX
September 14, 2020
In addition to having the right facilities, destinations are realizing more than ever they have to think beyond the typical sports. There are a variety of up-and-coming niche sports that can create economic impact just as much as more traditional sports like baseball, softball, and READ MORE