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Feasibility Study of a Potential New Youth and Amateur Sports Complex in Mounds View, Minnesota ●Page 34 CITY, STATE:Gatlinburg, TN OWNER:City of Gatlinburg OPERATOR:Sports Facilities Companies YEAR OPENED:2014 FACILITY SIZE (SF):86,000 COST (original, in millions):$20.0 COST (current, in millions):$27.4 COURTS (basketball):6 COURTS (volleyball):12 COMPARABLE FACILITIES3 The 80-acre Rocky Top Sports World (Complex)opened in 2014 and is a joint development of the City of Gatlinburg and Sevier County.The City of Gatlinburg serves as the owner and Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) operates the complex under contract. The Complex includes six turf outdoor fields and a natural grass championship stadium with seating for 1,500 people.The outdoor fields are configurable for 14 youth soccer fields.Six of the fields feature lights. The signature facility of the Complex is an indoor court complex referred to as “The Rock”.The Rock has 53,000 SF of hardwood court space in an 86,000-square foot facility.The configuration allows for six basketball courts or 12 volleyball courts in addition to team rooms,referee locker rooms,a full-service indoor/outdoor café,office space for coaches and a balcony viewing area.There is a separate facility in an adjacent location that can accommodate four additional basketball courts and five volleyball courts. The City contributed approximately 70 percent of the development cost by issuing bonds and the County contributed the balance utilizing bonds and grants. The Complex was created to encourage sports tourism in the City and County.Any teams that are based in Sevier County or affiliated with a Sevier County School qualify for the opportunity to use the Rocky Top facilities for free.Specific times are allocated during the week for this free use.Local officials indicate that having a booking policy clearly outlining the objectives of the complex is important for long-term success.Marketing of the Complex is part of the private management team’s annual budget but is significantly augmented by the City’s overall tourism marketing budget.The Complex management team works closely with the City,State,Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau,school officials and hoteliers to maximize bookings,particularly during the slower winter months when tourism surrounding the Smoky Mountains is not as robust. In 2018,the complex hosted 190 events,including 61 multi-day events in both traditional and non-traditional sports,and drew over 120,000 athletes and spectators to the complex,according to facility management.This activity was estimated to generate nearly $50 million in economic impact to Sevier County. In 2019,Rocky Top Sports World (both indoor and outdoor facilities) generated operating revenues of $1.2 million and operating expenses of $1.7 million in 2019,which excludes depreciation of $1.2 million.Operating revenues primarily consisted of food services,events,sponsorships and rentals.Operating expenses included personnel costs,occupancy and contractual services. Rocky Top Sports World 7