Multiple feasibility studies have confirmed the need for new and improved sports facilities in Little Rock, according to city officials.
Antwan Phillips, a commissioner on the Little Rock Advertising and Promotion Commission, explained that the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau has conducted several studies over the past few years. These studies examined the need for both indoor and outdoor sports facilities and their potential impact on the city.
“Every study concluded that these sports facilities are necessary for Little Rock,” Phillips said. “We looked at the local population and compared our facilities with those in nearby towns. While some towns have built sports complexes, none are at the scale or quality we are proposing.”
The proposed facilities would feature turf fields, rehabilitation centers, and event spaces, offering a range of amenities for athletes and visitors.
If the “Results for the Rock” one-cent tax proposal, spearheaded by Mayor Frank Scott Jr., is approved by voters in November, the city would invest $94 million into upgrading existing parks and building new facilities. This would include an indoor and outdoor sports complex and the development of 15 acres of green space in downtown Little Rock.
“The outdoor complex will be located in Southwest Little Rock, near Interstate 430, and will cater to sports like softball, baseball, and soccer,” Phillips said. “The indoor facility will be in downtown Little Rock, offering space for basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and other indoor activities, as well as event spaces.”
The Sports Facility Advisory, a development planning firm, projected that these venues could generate more than $43 million in annual revenue for Little Rock.
Phillips emphasized the potential economic benefits, noting that many Little Rock families currently travel out of town and out of state for youth sports events. “We want them to have the opportunity to support their kids right here at home,” he said.
A similar proposal, called “Rebuild the Rock,” was put forward by the mayor in 2021 but did not pass.
The new proposal aims to address the growing need for local sports facilities while providing economic boosts through tourism and local engagement.
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