DAYTONA BEACH, Fl – City leaders in Daytona Beach are looking to get into the tournament game, with a proposed 600-acre sports complex they’re now weighing.
It would be built just west of I-95 off International Speedway Boulevard. It would cost a pretty penny, though, which is where the city currently is in its debate.
The city hired a consultant from Clearwater to create a design and price proposal, which commissioners just heard at their meeting. The design has dozens of fields, indoor courts and facilities, outdoor courts, a pool, ice rink, and a 10,000 seat stadium.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
The estimated price to build would be about $185 million.
“We already own the property so that cost is already off the table,” said the city’s Economic and Strategic Opportunities Director Jeff Brown.
Brown said only about 100 of the 600 acres of the property would be developed since the rest are wetlands.
“Years five and six by themselves will have covered the cost of the construction on the local economic impact,” he said.
The city’s goal would be to host 100 tournaments annually and Brown thinks it would drive about $90 million dollars into the economy locally, which could be helpful in the slower months.
“We can host tournaments during our down season so that the hotels, restaurants and those types of industries can have economic input,” he said.
Brown said now, city staff is having conversations with both public and private sector potential investors to gauge their interest. After that, a final decision from the city commission could be made as to if they’ll pursue it.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: