Laserfiche WebLink
0 COMPARABLE FACILITIES DRAFT COPY <br />w <br />�� <br />2 <br />Rocky Top <br />Sports <br />World <br />CITY, STATE: <br />Gatlinburg, TN <br />OWNER: <br />City of Gatlinburg <br />OPERATOR: <br />Sports Facilities Companies <br />YEAR OPENED: <br />2014 <br />FACILITY SIZE (SF): <br />86,000 <br />COST (original, in millions): <br />$20.0 <br />COST (current, in millions): <br />$27.4 <br />COURTS (basketball): <br />6 <br />COURTS (volleyball): <br />12 <br />The 80-acre Rocky Top Sports World (Complex) opened in 2014 and is a <br />joint development of the City of Gatlinburg and Sevier County. The City of <br />Gatlinburg serves as the owner and Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) <br />operates the complex under contract. <br />The Complex includes six turf outdoor fields and a natural grass <br />championship stadium with seating for 1,500 people. The outdoor fields are <br />configurable for 14 youth soccer fields. Six of the fields feature lights. <br />The signature facility of the Complex is an indoor court complex referred to <br />as "The Rock". The Rock has 53,000 SF of hardwood court space in an <br />86,000-square foot facility. The configuration allows for six basketball <br />courts or 12 volleyball courts in addition to team rooms, referee locker <br />rooms, a full -service indoor/outdoor cafe, office space for coaches and a <br />balcony viewing area. There is a separate facility in an adjacent location that <br />can accommodate four additional basketball courts and five volleyball <br />courts. <br />The City contributed approximately 70 percent of the development cost by <br />issuing bonds and the County contributed the balance utilizing bonds and <br />grants. <br />The Complex was created to encourage sports tourism in the City and <br />County. Any teams that are based in Sevier County or affiliated with a Sevier <br />County School qualify for the opportunity to use the Rocky Top facilities for <br />free. Specific times are allocated during the week for this free use. Local <br />officials indicate that having a booking policy clearly outlining the objectives <br />of the complex is important for long-term success. Marketing of the <br />Complex is part of the private management team's annual budget but is <br />significantly augmented by the City's overall tourism marketing budget. The <br />Complex management team works closely with the City, State, Gatlinburg <br />Convention and Visitors Bureau, school officials and hoteliers to maximize <br />bookings, particularly during the slower winter months when tourism <br />surrounding the Smoky Mountains is not as robust. <br />In 2018, the complex hosted 190 events, including 61 multi -day events in <br />both traditional and non-traditional sports, and drew over 120,000 athletes <br />and spectators to the complex, according to facility management. This <br />activity was estimated to generate nearly $50 million in economic impact to <br />Sevier County. <br />In 2019, Rocky Top Sports World (both indoor and outdoor facilities) <br />generated operating revenues of $1.2 million and operating expenses of $1.7 <br />million in 2019, which excludes depreciation of $1.2 million. Operating <br />revenues primarily consisted of food services, events, sponsorships and <br />rentals. Operating expenses included personnel costs, occupancy and <br />contractual services. <br />CFeasibility Study of a Potential new Youth and Amateur Sports Complex in Mounds View, Minnesota 9 Page 34 <br />