KALAMAZOO, MI — A $40 million youth sports facility moved one step closer to reality Tuesday night in Kalamazoo County. The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday, April 1, to approve an ordinance, allowing hotel owners to vote on a funding mechanism for the proposed facility. Hotels with 35 rooms or more will now vote on whether to establish a 4% assessment on visitor stays of less than 30 days to fund the acquisition, construction and maintenance of the facility. If it passes, the project will be completely funded by hotel guests at hotels fitting that criteria in Kalamazoo County. RELATED: Hotels may foot bill for new $40M youth sports complex in Kalamazoo County No new taxes or fees will be created for Kalamazoo County residents. “Passage of the ordinance is the first crucial step in this process,” said Jane Ghosh, president/CEO of Discover Kalamazoo, the organization behind the project. “Our partners in Kalamazoo County already see tremendous benefit from sports tourism, and this facility will more than double the tournament business we can bring to the area.” A commissioned study by Convention, Sports & Leisure estimates the facility would have an annual economic impact of $48.7 million. Sports tourism brought a record $30.3 million in economic impact to Kalamazoo County in 2024, Discover Kalamazoo reported last month. The new 20,000- to 150,000-square-foot facility would cater to two sports, volleyball and basketball, that are currently underserved in the area, Ghosh said previously. Plans show eight basketball courts that could transform into 16 volleyball courts. Turf fields for indoor soccer are also a possibility. RELATED: Filling a void: Why a $40M youth sports complex is planned for Kalamazoo County “After several years of extensive research and community stakeholder meetings, we have identified a significant lack of court space in our area for both local use during the week and tournament play on weekends,” said Brian Persky, Discover Kalamazoo’s director of business development. “In consulting with hoteliers, partners, and sports groups, we believe a facility with a mix of hardwood courts and turf would greatly benefit our community by expanding tournament opportunities, attracting new events, and providing much-needed space for local teams and programs,” he said. While a location is yet to be determined, more than 30 sites have been explored and the list has been narrowed down to three options, Ghosh said. If the funding mechanism is approved by hotel owners, a final location is expected to be proposed in May. Regardless of location, many years of sports tourism experience has demonstrated that lodging properties throughout Kalamazoo County will benefit from this facility, Ghosh said. “When teams, leagues and athletic groups visit, they bring an undeniable energy that fuels local businesses,” says Lindsay Randolph, vice president at Inland Pacific Companies, which oversees the Delta Hotels Kalamazoo Conference Center. “This facility will broaden our appeal to new user groups who visit during off-peak times. “Their presence will bring steady business and diversify our customer base, smoothing out the seasonal fluctuations we sometimes experience. We firmly support the 4% incremental assessment to bring this project to fruition and encourage other hotels throughout Kalamazoo County to do the same.” If ratified by the hotels, the new ordinance will create the Kalamazoo County Event Center Assessment District, which will include all hotels with 35 rooms or more in Kalamazoo County. The KCECAD would be governed by an authority with members appointed by the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners upon the recommendation of Discover Kalamazoo. The municipality where the facility would be located would also appoint one member to the authority, according to Discover Kalamazoo. The assessment revenue may only be used to fund the development of a new youth sports facility and other similar facilities meeting the requirements specified in the ordinance, the ordinance states. The hotels now have 30 days to cast their votes to approve the assessment, with ballots due to be returned by 4 p.m. on April 30. Each hotel room will count as one vote. For example, the Radisson will have 340 votes and Delta by Marriott will have 182 votes. To pass, a majority vote is required, with a minimum of 60% of the county’s rooms being accounted for in the vote. If the establishing ordinance is ratified, the county will then move forward with creating the authority. The authority and the county will then pursue bonding options backed by the KCECAD assessment revenue to fund the youth sports facility project along with selecting the location and management for the facility. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free “3@3 Kalamazoo” daily newsletter.