Construction could begin this fall on new sports tourism park in North Myrtle Beach

Those who live in and visit North Myrtle Beach may see construction begin this fall on a new sports tourism park.

If all goes as planned, a ground breaking ceremony and the start of construction on the park would occur in early November, said city spokesman Pat Dowling.

The park, which is expected to provide an economic boost for the city, would then be set for completion at the end of November 2013, and would open around mid-January 2014, Dowling said.

In order for that to happen, Dowling said the city will put the overall construction of the park out to bid in early August and bids would be opened in early September.

The City Council agreed last year to purchase land across the Intracoastal Waterway for the sports tourism facility and increased the city’s property tax rate from 32 mils to 38 mils over an eight-year period to pay off a $15 million general obligation bond being used to pay for the facility and the site it will occupy.

Since that time, North Myrtle Beach residents have shared ideas on what they would like to see at the park, which will be built on about 136 acres west of the Intracoastal , and projected to generate $14.2 million annually when it opens, according to city officials.

The final park design will be presented to the council sometime in July, Dowling said.

Meanwhile, the city has solicited a proposal for the design and construction of an entrance road to the city’s planned Park & Sports Complex.

Responses to that proposal are expected by mid-February, Dowling said.

In addition to serving as the entry to the park, the road will also serve as the first segment of the “West of the Waterway Parkway,” which is in the Grand Strand Area Transportation Study’s long range transportation plan.

North Myrtle Beach Parks and Recreation Director John Bullard has said sports tourism is a priority for the City Council, the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, and the Parks and Recreation department.

Tourism and recreation experts say sports tourism is a growing market that generates millions of dollars and draws thousands of people each year to the Grand Strand and statewide.

North Myrtle Beach is hosting a 3-week National Collegiate Sports Invitational softball spring training event March 5 through March 24 at the Central Park Sports Complex.

Last year, 20 collegiate teams played at Central Park after the city renovated the park off of Possum Trot Road with two new ball fields, a score tower and a play area for children.

To date, there are 26 teams committed for this year’s event, said Matt Gibbons, North Myrtle Beach’s athletic director.

“Each of the teams’ players, family and fans will be staying in North Myrtle Beach for one week,” Gibbons said.

The 2012 spring training will include women’s softball, Gibbons said.

He said in coming years, NCSI will expand the existing sport and also add men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s baseball and soccer and spring training for high school athletes.

North Myrtle Beach Parks and Recreation officials estimate this year’s direct economic impact from the NCSI to be between $750,000 and $1 million.

Last year’s NCSI generated about $500,000 for the North Myrtle Beach economy.

Parks and recreation officials estimate this year’s direct economic impact from all sporting events will be about $7 million and 20,000 room nights in the city.

The economic impact of last year’s events was about $6.5 million, Gibbons said.

To date, the city has about 30 sporting events scheduled at different facilities throughout the city including the Central Park sports complex, the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center and the Aquatic and Fitness Center, Gibbons said.