Spartanburg County to Break Ground for Mega Baseball/Softball Complex in Reidville

An economic impact of $13 million a year.

Pretty big bucks.

Is this from a manufacturing plant?  A new shopping complex?

Actually, it'll be from softball.

Thirteen million dollars is the estimated annual economic impact from a new sports tournament facility.

The Spartanburg Parks Commission (formerly the Spartanburg County Parks and Recreation Department) holds groundbreaking in the Reidville community this Wednesday, March 24th, at 5:30 pm for the $13.5 million dollar Tyger River Park.  The park will cover 143 acres off Dillard Road.

Before going any farther, for the sake of disclosure, I should note my wife Gayle is a long-time employee of the SPC and is Director of Recreation.  At home, I've been hearing a lot about this park, and the more I hear, the more proud I am as a nearly 30-year resident of Spartanburg County.

According to a Commission news release, Tyger River Park will include 12 baseball/softball fields, a championship stadium, amphitheater, walking trails,  a "nature-based theme play area," and other public facilities.

Construction starts in early April, and the first of the park's two phases should be ready in Fall 2011.

During the park's first year, the Commission estimates over 550,000 people will visit or use Tyger River Park.  That's an impressive number.

The projected economic impact is impressive too.

The Commission says the park will attract as many as 40 baseball/softball tournaments between March and November.  The tournaments each will include 80 - 250 teams, and the tournaments will last 3 - 10 days.

What will the members of these teams, their family and friends do during their stay in Spartanburg County when they're not playing ball?

Spend money.

Spend money on local hotels, food, gas, entertainment, shopping trips, etc.

Families plan their vacations around these tournaments.

Current economic impact of athletic tournaments hosted locally is around $3.5 million.

When Tyger River Park is up and running, that number is estimated to top $13 million.  National tournament organizers are said to be anxious for this state-of-the-art facility to open.

It'll mean jobs too.  During the construction phase, estimated at a year-and-a-half, over 100 people will be employed.  The park itself will have around 30 fulltime and parttime jobs.

Hospitality tax funds will pay for the park.

It's good to hear that money is being invested in a place where young people and their families can enjoy exercise in the beautiful outdoors, playing America's game and learning a thing or two about nature.

Again, the groundbreaking is this Wednesday, March 24th at 5:30 pm off Dillard Road in the Reidville community.  Imagine what it'll be like in the very near future as thousands of children begin enjoying this park.

Play ball!