Travel and Tourism will conduct indoor sports facility feasibility study

Talk of a new indoor sports facility in Sweetwater County has circulated for some time, without much specific action being taken. However, the Travel and Tourism board is hoping to get things moving as they look into potentially making this idea a reality.

Sweetwater County Travel and Tourism announced this week that they have hired a qualified consultant to conduct an indoor sports facility feasibility study.

Sweetwater County Travel and Tourism CEO Jenissa Meredith said this project will "benefit our community and local economy" in Sweetwater County. In her letter in the monthly Travel and Tourism newsletter, she explained that the feasibility study will be a comprehensive study covering multiple key areas.

The study will do an existing facility inventory and review in order to assess the current state of local indoor sports facilities to identify gaps and opportunities, Meredith explained. A trend review will also be conducted to examine industry trends and best practices to ensure that the study is informed by the latest developments.

The study will also take stakeholder feedback into account. Travel and Tourism will conduct local and visitor market analysis in order to analyze the demographics, interests, and behaviors of both residents and visitors to understand the potential demand for an indoor sports facility.

"We will gather input from community leaders, residents, businesses, and sports organizations to gain valuable insights," Meredith said.

The study is also intended to analyze need and economic impact, evaluating the possible benefits of having an indoor sports facility, including job creation, increased tourism, and enhanced quality of life, Meredith explained. And she noted that the board will develop realistic cost estimates to help guide decision making.

"The potential benefits of having an indoor sports facility in our community are numerous," Meredith said. "For residents, it would provide a year-round venue for recreational activities, sports training, and community events. For visitors, it would offer a unique attraction that could draw people to our area, boosting tourism and local businesses."

Meredith expressed her belief that the feasibility study will provide valuable information that will help the Travel and Tourism board determine whether an indoor sports facility is a viable investment for Sweetwater County.

"We look forward to sharing the results of the study with you in the coming months," Meredith said.