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According to SFC Partner, Eric Sullivan, “Modern sports facilities are not just for tournaments — they are catalysts for daily activity, placemaking, and community pride.”
It’s also important to note that the path to funding and creating a winning sports facility is a collaborative effort. “Land is currency. When cities own it, they have leverage, if they are willing to get creative.” Kosmont Companies President Ken Hira pointed out during a recent webinar, “From Concept to Community Impact: Guiding Cities Through Sports and Entertainment Projects,” adding that public-private partnerships align land, funding tools, and community goals.
Real-World Case Studies Demonstrating Civic Pride
From voter-backed investments to reimagined spaces, these five projects demonstrate how sports venues can become hometown anchors — uniting residents, energizing downtowns, and delivering everyday value alongside destination-worthy moments, thereby reinforcing a shared local identity.
- Texas locals lean on the 10,000-seat Fort Bend Epicenter as a tangible success that people can feel, from weekend events to year-round activities that keep the doors open for residents.
- In California, the planned Ontario Sports Empire spans 190 acres and is partially funded by Measure Q, a voter-approved sales tax. This west coast venue demonstrates how local policy can maintain benefits locally, while a destination venue fosters a shared identity.
- In Bryan, Texas, the Legends Event Center transformed an outdated site into a regional hub that hosts court sports, concerts, trade shows, and job fairs, providing residents with daily value and visitors with a reason to stay.
- Macon’s Rhythm & Rally Sports & Events turned a vacant mall into the world’s largest indoor pickleball facility, and outlines amenities such as 32 indoor courts in a 150,000-square-foot, climate-controlled complex.
- In Overland Park, AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluhawk anchors a mixed-use district featuring hospitality and entertainment, boasting a 3,200-seat arena that is suitable for all sizes of events and gatherings.
“Each of these projects proves that when public and private sectors align, communities win,” described Sullivan.
Measuring More Than Economic Impact
When considering the economic impact, the first things that come to mind are booked hotel rooms, net new spending, and job creation. These key factors often unlock land strategies, tourism districts, and grants.
However, pride is also an important metric. Sports complexes offer a daily experience, featuring access to programs, inclusive design, and an activated district that brings people together from morning to evening. As Hira put it, “It is never one source of funding. Every successful project is a stack of creative solutions.”
And when cities structure partnerships around those goals, they earn durable support. “A true public-private partnership is a triple win for the public, the private sector, and the community,” Sullivan added.
Sports give cities a common symbol to rally around. Plan for flexibility, invite partners early, and measure what residents value. Do that, and your venue becomes a living emblem of who you are together.
