Sports Tourism Expands with The Opening of the Myrtle Beach Sports Center
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (March 3, 2015) – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina recently expanded its sports tourism offerings with the opening of the Myrtle Beach Sports Center on March 1, 2015. The complex includes space for eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, a café, an entertainment zone and seating capacity for 1,500 to 2,000 spectators.
“After more than a year of planning and development, we are so excited to see the Myrtle Beach Sports Center come to life,” said Mark Beale, marketing and business development director for the Myrtle Beach Sports Center. “Talented athletes have been coming to the Myrtle Beach area for years in the name of spirited competition, and this new facility is a fantastic way to host even more sporting events and grow our reputation as a sports tourism destination.”
A week before opening, the Myrtle Beach Sports Center opened its doors for a presentation ceremony in which City Council members received ceremonial keys to the new 100,000-square-foot building. Council members and senior staff also scored the ceremonial ‘first baskets’ on one of the facility’s eight full-length basketball courts.
“It has been incredible to see the community come together to support the opening of the new Sports Center,” said Mike Anderson, executive director of sports tourism at the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. “The addition of the Myrtle Beach Sports Center positions the Myrtle Beach area as an up-and-coming sports tourism destination that welcomes world-class athletes.”
Well ahead of the opening in March, the Myrtle Beach Sports Center’s calendar of events was booked six months out due to high demand. The facility’s first event, the Southeast Alliance Volleyball League Spring Madness Tournament, will be held on March 7.
In its first year, the sports complex is projected to generate $6.9 million in direct visitor spending. By its fifth year, that number is expected to reach $28.4 million annually. Two-thirds of the additional visitor revenue will occur outside of the peak summer tourism season.
For more information on the Myrtle Beach Sports Center, visit www.myrtlebeachsportscenter.com.
About Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Stretching across 60 miles of uninterrupted coastline, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is home to world-class meeting and sports facilities capable of hosting large corporate gatherings and sporting events throughout the area. As a destination that appeals to all types of meetings and events with its Southern hospitality and noteworthy attractions, the Myrtle Beach area presents the ideal destination for sports and groups alike with its affordability, accessibility and state-of-the-art facilities.
For additional information on the Myrtle Beach area, visit www.visitmyrtlebeach.com or call (888) Myrtle-1.
SOURCE: The Myrtle Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau