LR exploring feasibility of outdoor sports venue

Little Rock will soon have expert feedback on the feasibility of an outdoor sports complex in the city.

The city’s Advertising and Promotion Commission on Tuesday authorized a contract with an advisory firm to conduct a study on the workability and impact a tournament-quality sports facility would have on Little Rock.

The study will take into account the market area, sports-travel trends, demand, size and scale, estimated development cost, and economic impact, according to the approved resolution.

Sports tournaments and other related events generate hotel room nights and increased economic impact on the city, the resolution states; Little Rock does not have a facility to accommodate such events.

Eight firms submitted responses to a request for qualifications, Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau chief executive officer Gretchen Hall said. Commissioner Yogesh Asudani and Parks and Recreation Director John Eckart read the responses and selected Sports Facilities Advisory, a firm based in Clearwater, Fla.

The cost of the contract with SFA is $57,800, which Hall said is in line with many past feasibility studies. The bureau intends to use a grant to cover $15,000 of the cost.

The final report is set to be completed by the first week of January, Hall said. The study is not site-specific.

The city conducted an indoor sports feasibility study in 2015 and plans to have an update to that report in the next two months as well, Hall said.

Little Rock’s access to sports facilities has been a popular topic of discussion in the city in recent months. A budget amendment called for two city golf courses to close over the summer, opening up those greenspaces to the possibility of redevelopment.

A task force appointed by Mayor Frank Scott Jr. to study new uses for the former War Memorial and Hindman golf courses is considering everything from soccer fields to disc golf courses to a beer garden.

Scott, who is also a member of the commission, said the study’s results will “play a vital role” as the city re-envisions those parks and that he hoped the study could be completed by Christmas.