Collier County is moving forward on building a ninth field at Paradise Coast Sports Complex, but wants to determine the tourism benefits before considering two more phases of development, including 11 more fields.
Board of County Commissioners also voted unanimously Oct. 22 to transition the complex’s beer and wine license to add liquor, which is part of the marketing plans for the complex and FC Naples, a professional soccer team that will begin games there next March.
Commissioners approved Phase 3, which includes a field, preengineered metal building, the south parking lot and bathrooms at a cost of $9 million to $10 million. It will take 12 to 18 months to build, but it still must go out to bid and commissioners still must approve a contractor. Funding is available in the complex’s capital fund and several other sources, possibly tourist taxes.
Commissioners also approved paying Hunden Partners $92,800 to conduct a Sports Complex Tourism & Economic Impact Study to determine the impact of current and future phases on tourism, how to proceed and if money would be better spent on expanding Big Corkscrew Regional Park. The complex is expected to cost more than $150 million once complete.
“If we don’t do this study, we have two options,” said Vice Chair Burt Saunders, who made the motions for the study and Phase 3. “One is to do nothing with Phase 4 and Phase 5 or to move forward with Phase 4 and Phase 5, but we’re shooting in the dark.”
State statutes require the study before tourist development tax dollars can be used for facilities. The taxes come from the county’s 5% bed tax, revenues from hotels, Airbnbs and other rentals of six months or less. Tourist Development Council must first recommend whether TDT funds can be used to pay for the study and commissioners will finalize that approval.
“The entire facility was designed to put us on the sports tourism map and … I’m fairly comfortable saying Hunden is going to conclude that it does have a positive benefit to tourism businesses in the area,” Deputy County Manager Ed Finn told commissioners.
The third phase is expected to bring in $300,000 more in revenues, he said, with an economic impact to the area of $5 million to $6 million more. They’re also considering converting one field into a real amphitheater, but not the usual concrete seating arrangement.
The Collier County chapter of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association already has expressed strong support for completing the third and fourth phases, saying the complex boosts tourism.
Complex General Manager Adrian Moses said some tournaments need nine fields and weekend events that use the stadium require a full day of operations, and FC Naples will be one. He also noted revenues could be higher, but they want to keep the complex affordable for local sports, while still attracting tournaments nationwide.
“The real impact of this field is increasing the amount of space and time that we can provide our local sports organizations to play sports,” Moses said. “When there aren’t (local) games, we increase the amount of capacity that we have for tournaments, so we can drive the numbers.”
The complex, located off Collier Boulevard near Interstate 75 in East Naples, opened in 2020, and the second phase was completed in October 2023. Those phases feature eight synthetic turf fields and a 3,500-seat stadium, but future plans include an expansion to 21 full-size rectangle and diamond fields. Other current draws are the Cove Beer & Wine Bar and The Factory open-air fitness pavilion, which includes an obstacle course, weight room and running trails with workout stations.
Phase 4 would add 11 multipurpose fields, restrooms and other facilities and Phase 5 would include an indoor-sports fieldhouse for volleyball, basketball, ping pong, pickleball and other sports. The complex also features a 13-acre manmade lake, running trails, fitness pods, resistance equipment and beach volleyball areas.
Since taking over management in 2021, Clearwater-based Sports Facilities Cos. was able to turn a profit in 2022 and 2023, despite Hurricane Ian, and continues to grow profits, including through food and beverage sales and commissions from referrals to hotels.
“We can build anything, but we can’t build everything,” Commissioner Rick LoCastro said, adding that they need to find the “sweet spot” and research maintenance costs versus potential revenues. “We’re not trying to build the Taj Mahal here or something that’s more than what’s needed.”
Collier has built many amazing facilities, he said, then realized they couldn’t sustain them, such as Sun-N-Fun water park, which is closed for repairs. “Where was the budget to keep it looking pristine? After a while, it sort of went by the wayside — and (the sports complex) is like a park on steroids. … We could be using those dollars for lots of different things.”
Although Saunders agreed they need to consider all costs, he said FC Naples soccer’s home and away games will boost tourism. “That will be a huge generator for free advertising for the county,” Saunders said. “It is a tremendous potential generator of tourism in terms of getting hotels filled and getting our restaurants busy, especially in the offseason.”
