Active Communites Elgin - Sports Tourism

Revitalizing Sports Tourism in Elgin

April, 2009

As a team what we aspire to do is ….

• Invest in the health and well being of children, youth and adults of Elgin County, and athletes throughout Ontario and Canada

. Establish a quality Sport Facility by Summer 2010 - capable of hosting local, provincial & national competitions

• Promote sports tourism to revitalize our local economy

. Enhance relationships within T.V.D.S.B., City of St. Thomas, Municipality of Central Elgin and the communities of Elgin County

How we achieve success with this exciting opportunity….

The Right Vision

The Right People

The Right Business Model

CURRENT STATE

• Track & Field Facility– Significant Safety Risk– Track 30 years old with 1 resurfacing– Sub grade requires repair– Infield requires refurbishing and redesign– Irrigation issues (water restrictions from local pond)– Inability to host day to day events

• Utilization of Track & Field Facilities- March to November– Heavy usage (approx. 23-25 hours/week)– Extensive use by outside organizations – sports

organizations, fundraising campaigns – United Way and Cancer Society

– Poor change facilities (privacy issues) – Inadequate washroom facilities

Lost Opportunities & Revenue

ST. Thomas & Elgin County:

• Due to safety issues – inability to host – local elementary and secondary school meets

• St. Thomas Legion Track and Field Club unable to host Provincial or National Track Competitions which would attract 800 athletes to at least 10 events per year if our facilities were adequate

• Lost tourist revenue $ (local eateries/hotels/shopping etc.)

• Unable to host Special Olympics, United Way Red Feather Football fundraiser games, Relay for Life Cancer fundraiser

• Safety issue – elementary and secondary school track and field training and competitions – this is a well used regional track

• Lack of lighting – unable to host “Friday Night Lights” football or soccer

• Lack of concession facilities means no way for the individual teams to generate funding for their sport – football, soccer, field hockey at both the school level as well as the local sports clubs

VISION OBJECTIVES– Create a facility to attract provincial and

national events to the city and county– Bring sports tourism to Elgin to help

diversify and stimulate our economy now and in the long-term

– Produce construction jobs in SWO– Provide a quality multi-sport facility to

improve the health and fitness of our community through participation and bolstering community spirit

– Establish a national & provincial SWO Sport Facility to host multiple sporting events – track, football and soccer

– Decrease costs spent outside of T.V.D.S.B to access sporting facilities

– Inspire students to achieve their goals and make their secondary school experience positive through involvement in sports

– Provide skill development opportunities for sports management, hospitality and audio-visual technical skills

Cost of Multi-sport Facility for Developing Sports Tourism in Elgin

- $750,000 Upgrade to an 8-lane track with Polytan M surface

- $1,000,000 Field house with change rooms, washrooms, storage, concession booth and timing/announcement booth that

are all accessible for the special needs students and public.

- $ 200,000 Lights for evening games of football and soccer

- $ 200,000 Bleachers

- $1,000,000 Artificial turf to allow access for many sports from early Spring to late Fall

- $ 151,250 Preliminary marketing, engineering/architectural work

Total = $3.3 million

TIMELINE EXPECTATIONS

• TVDSB approval & funding support - done April 2009

• City of St. Thomas approval - done April 2009

• Secure funding (public & private) April – Dec. 2009

- RINC

- CIAF and other prov. funding sources - RED, AgriSpirit

- private foundations, alumni, service groups, public, businesses

• Begin process for tendering Jan. 2010

• Initial work to commence Mar. 2010

• Project completion Sept. 2010

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THANK YOU for your assistance in helping us make Elgin

healthier: economically, physically, socially, and for promoting an integrated educational environment that

builds a stronger future for us all.