Page 6 - TN Public Works May-June Vol. 32 No.1
P. 6
By larry zehnder
Chattanooga at Summit TournamenTs
mean Big
with Softball Complex Business
Parks and Recreation projects add value National Tournament after a rigorous “a complete and satisfying leisure experi-
to a community’s quality of life and make bidding process involving nine cities. The ence,” according to Greta Hayes, the city’s
it more attractive to new business and event contributed another estimated $2 Director of Recreation. It has an environ-
industry. Top-notch, multipurpose athletic million into the region’s economy. mentally conscious design with natural
facilities that can attract large tournaments Over the last five years, the cumulative settings and pleasing landscapes. Each of
also put dollars back into the commu- economic impact for Chattanooga has its three tiers has color-coordinated shade
nity in the form of filled hotel rooms been nothing short of remarkable. The city structures, flowers, and trashcans. Each
and restaurant seats. Tennessee, viewed reports an estimated $40.5 million in rev- area has umpires’ quarters, energy-efficient
as a first-class sports venue, is home to a enue driven by tournaments at the facility lighting that minimizes light pollution into
number of high quality, tournament-level between 2009 and 2013. The quality facili- the night sky, its own tarp, and a digital
athletic facilities. Tournaments and other ties have helped the city grow the number scoreboard. The finished complex also
sporting events, although often overlooked of tournaments hosted from 38 in 2009 to has custom site furnishings such as entry
as contributors to economic growth and a record 62 in 2010. The city’s recreation signage, entry arches, railings, seat walls,
stability, draw visitors to cities and towns officials report the revenues from Summit’s shade structures, and specialty paving in
resulting in significant boosts in sales for 58 tournaments in 2013, including four na- pedestrian areas.
area businesses and tax revenue for local tional softball tournaments, at $10 million. Versatility is Key
governments. Like many of the newer athletic facili-
Chattanooga’s innovative Summit of ties, high tech capabilities on and off the “It can be used for everything from
Softball complex is an excellent example. field, hospitality areas, and extra details neighborhood association meetings to
Opened in 2009, it is owned by the city cater to the needs and comfort of players, birthday parties,” said Hayes. “The facility is
of Chattanooga and is maintained by the spectators, coaches, and families, making more than just a softball complex. There’s a
city’s recreation maintenance staff. It was a visit to the Summit of Softball complex walking trail that’s well lit. There’s a picnic
built on 82 city-owned acres at a cost of pavilion. It’s multipurpose.”
about $12 million. The complex includes
eight laser-graded adult softball fields that
accommodate fast/slow-pitch softball and
baseball. Local adult leagues, recreational
play and youth softball, as well as state and
regional softball associations and teams,
enjoy the benefits of Summit.
The facility was purposed to return
Chattanooga to the big leagues of tourna-
ment play and bring revenue to the city.
It succeeded on both fronts. Its first event,
the National Softball Association’s 2009
Eastern World Series, drew 232 teams and
an estimated $3.6 million in visitor spend-
ing as reported by the Chattanooga Times
Free Press. The New York Times quoted
Ron Littlefield, Mayor of Chattanooga at
the time, saying that income from sales
and hotel taxes was “a real payback.”
Hugh Cantrell, founder of the National
Softball Association, was also impressed by
the Summit, stating, “There’s no place in
the world better than what you have right
here in Chattanooga.”
Major Hit for Economy
The Summit of Softball complex was
also host to the 2013 Amateur Softball
Association 12-and-under Girl’s Fast-Pitch
6 TPW May/June 2014
Chattanooga at Summit TournamenTs
mean Big
with Softball Complex Business
Parks and Recreation projects add value National Tournament after a rigorous “a complete and satisfying leisure experi-
to a community’s quality of life and make bidding process involving nine cities. The ence,” according to Greta Hayes, the city’s
it more attractive to new business and event contributed another estimated $2 Director of Recreation. It has an environ-
industry. Top-notch, multipurpose athletic million into the region’s economy. mentally conscious design with natural
facilities that can attract large tournaments Over the last five years, the cumulative settings and pleasing landscapes. Each of
also put dollars back into the commu- economic impact for Chattanooga has its three tiers has color-coordinated shade
nity in the form of filled hotel rooms been nothing short of remarkable. The city structures, flowers, and trashcans. Each
and restaurant seats. Tennessee, viewed reports an estimated $40.5 million in rev- area has umpires’ quarters, energy-efficient
as a first-class sports venue, is home to a enue driven by tournaments at the facility lighting that minimizes light pollution into
number of high quality, tournament-level between 2009 and 2013. The quality facili- the night sky, its own tarp, and a digital
athletic facilities. Tournaments and other ties have helped the city grow the number scoreboard. The finished complex also
sporting events, although often overlooked of tournaments hosted from 38 in 2009 to has custom site furnishings such as entry
as contributors to economic growth and a record 62 in 2010. The city’s recreation signage, entry arches, railings, seat walls,
stability, draw visitors to cities and towns officials report the revenues from Summit’s shade structures, and specialty paving in
resulting in significant boosts in sales for 58 tournaments in 2013, including four na- pedestrian areas.
area businesses and tax revenue for local tional softball tournaments, at $10 million. Versatility is Key
governments. Like many of the newer athletic facili-
Chattanooga’s innovative Summit of ties, high tech capabilities on and off the “It can be used for everything from
Softball complex is an excellent example. field, hospitality areas, and extra details neighborhood association meetings to
Opened in 2009, it is owned by the city cater to the needs and comfort of players, birthday parties,” said Hayes. “The facility is
of Chattanooga and is maintained by the spectators, coaches, and families, making more than just a softball complex. There’s a
city’s recreation maintenance staff. It was a visit to the Summit of Softball complex walking trail that’s well lit. There’s a picnic
built on 82 city-owned acres at a cost of pavilion. It’s multipurpose.”
about $12 million. The complex includes
eight laser-graded adult softball fields that
accommodate fast/slow-pitch softball and
baseball. Local adult leagues, recreational
play and youth softball, as well as state and
regional softball associations and teams,
enjoy the benefits of Summit.
The facility was purposed to return
Chattanooga to the big leagues of tourna-
ment play and bring revenue to the city.
It succeeded on both fronts. Its first event,
the National Softball Association’s 2009
Eastern World Series, drew 232 teams and
an estimated $3.6 million in visitor spend-
ing as reported by the Chattanooga Times
Free Press. The New York Times quoted
Ron Littlefield, Mayor of Chattanooga at
the time, saying that income from sales
and hotel taxes was “a real payback.”
Hugh Cantrell, founder of the National
Softball Association, was also impressed by
the Summit, stating, “There’s no place in
the world better than what you have right
here in Chattanooga.”
Major Hit for Economy
The Summit of Softball complex was
also host to the 2013 Amateur Softball
Association 12-and-under Girl’s Fast-Pitch
6 TPW May/June 2014
