Tacoma: Premier Amateur Sports Destination?
A recent post in the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber blog poses an interesting idea for economic development in Tacoma: market Tacoma as an amateur sports destination. Or rather, continue marketing it that way.
Tacoma is fast becoming the premier amateur sports destination of the Northwest.
Tim Waer, CEO and ED of the Tacoma South Sound Sports Commission listed the many assets that make Tacoma a strong candidate for such a designation at a recent presentation to the City Council’s Economic Development Committee.
Tacoma has a rich sports history, diverse venues, large hotel inventory, close proximity to Sea-Tac Airport, access to I-5, university and community colleges, many local attractions, and is a medium sized city, which together form the perfect place to promote amateur sports.
Aside from the many events held at the Tacoma Dome, Cheney Stadium, and various other sports venues around town, Tacoma has plenty of waterfront for water-based activities, nearby Fort Steilacoom and the Puyallup Fairgrounds have been home to cyclocross and other events in recent years, and then there’s Chambers Bay, and events like the Tacoma City Marathon and other road races don’t need a special venue, just a few street closures…
Although other categories of tourism saw a decrease with the downturn in the economy, sports tourism has either held steady, or grown, according to the Chamber article. The Sports Commission has been around for a while, charged with the mission of marketing Tacoma and the South Sound as a destination for tourism-generating amateur sports events and leading the development of athletic programs and venues throughout the region. So it’s not a new idea, but maybe now is our time…
Recent consternation of would-be-Anthony’s-diners foiled by the Tacoma City Marathon notwithstanding, what do you think? Are you ready for Tacoma to become the next big thing in amateur sports?
Filed under: Sports, Economic Development
2 comments
C Christine May 9, 2013
This sounds like a great avenue of promotion for the City of Tacoma.
This year I have attended the H.S. basketball playoffs at the dome, the St. Patty’s Day Half Marathon and the Tacoma City Marathon and I also enjoyed last summer’s Twilight Criterion held in the Proctor district. These events drew a lot of local and distant spectators and participants.
I spoke with others watching or participating in these events and when identified as local, I fielded a lot of questions about where to eat and what else to see.
Increasing our role as a destination for amatuer sports of any kind could increase traffic and sales for our businesses and restaurants and could even cause some to “discover” more of what Tacoma has to offer. (Of course they would have to sign a waiver promising to not move here.)
J Jerry V. Ramsey, PhD May 12, 2013
With a goal of participation by as many as possible at whatever level of skill, then add in a few Olympic training and try-out opportunities in a variety of events and you really have something. Don’t forget Special Olympics and Para-Olympic, too.