Sports study report expected mid-summer

Sam Migliano, an associate partner in Pinnacle Indoor Sports’ Toronto office, spent four days in Owensboro last week, talking to people in local sports associations about the need for more and better facilities.

“We’re looking at both indoor and outdoor sports needs,” he said. “Regional as well as local needs.”

In February, the CVB approved a $12,500 contract with Pinnacle to determine what, if any, new facilities the community needs.

 
Migliano said it will likely be six weeks to two months before the report is ready to present to the CVB.

It will, he said, look at the feasibility of building new facilities and the cost.

The company’s website says, “Pinnacle Indoor Sports works with private developers, colleges/universities, non-profit organizations and municipalities in the U.S. and Canada to help get sports facility projects off the ground. Our consulting specialties include marketing feasibility studies, financial projections, business plans, design and construction management, sponsorship development and operational assistance. “

It adds, “Whether you’re looking to develop a sportsplex, sports facility, stadium, recreation center or special events complex, Pinnacle Indoor Sports will support your project to minimize risks and maximize results.”

“If he gets the study to us in the next couple of months,” said Mark Calitri, president of the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau, “we’ll discuss it through the summer. We’ll probably be working on this for the remainder of the year.”

He said, “We surveyed all the restaurants on south Frederica Street on Tuesday and we had 100 percent support for looking further into this.”

Calitri has mentioned the south Frederica area several times in the past when talking about the need for new facilities.

“That area seems like the best place for something,” he said. “It’s the middle of the county.”

At this point, Calitri said, the CVB hasn’t decided whether to hold public meetings about the recommendations it will receive from Pinnacle or how to proceed.

But he said earlier that any new facilities would likely have to be built by private developers.

“The days of going to the city and county for $10 million to $15 million are over,” he told his board earlier this month.

A Nashville developer with Owensboro roots is interested in the results of the study, Calitri said.

One reason for the study is that Owensboro expects three new hotels in the next two years.

And the CVB, which is funded by a 3 percent tax on hotel room rentals, needs to help fill those new rooms.

A Best Western hotel is scheduled to open on Goetz Drive near Towne Square North in June.

And the TownePlace Suites in Gateway Commons is slated to open in December or January.

Jack Wells and Matt Hayden have said they plan to start construction on a still-unnamed hotel across Second Street from the Owensboro Convention Center this fall or early next year.

Wells said last week that they’re working on the layout and designs for the hotel now.

Calitri is hoping that improved year-round sports facilities will help fill all the hotels.

Messenger-Inquirer article written by Keith Lawrence, 270-691-7301, [email protected]