Tampa Water Sports Center
Proposal Review and Feasibility Assessment
Study Director:
Dr. Erika Matulich, PhD, PCM
Assistant Researcher:
Virginie Carmillet, MBA
Summer, 2003
Facility Proposal
Location: River Front Park, west side of Hillsborough River, on Cypress at North Boulevard. Lease provided by the City of Tampa.
Goal: To provide a water sports facility for area youth
Goal: To provide a facility for recreational rowing, including kayaks and canoes
Goal: To provide a facility for visiting collegiate teams
Proposed Facility Specification
- 2-story facility with elevator
- 8 bays to provide storage for 100 racing shells, canoes, kayaks
- Housing for up to 100 students
- Visiting collegiate teams in winter
- Youth Hostel in summer
- Elder Hostel in spring/fall
- Laundromat and restrooms
- Housing for coaches
- Live-in manager accommodations
- Kitchen and cafeteria
- Living area for study or entertainment
- Classrooms
- Dock area
- Parking
Economic Impact
- One 2/3-day regatta competition would generate about $700,000 in local spending
- Includes hotel rooms, meals, gas, incidentals
- Does not include sales tax
- One visiting collegiate team generates over $10,000 in local spending per week (average stay is 2 weeks)
- Potential for over 20 teams per year is $400,000
- Total economic impact is over $1 million annually (at minimum)
Additional Benefits
- Many visiting collegiate rowers become enthusiastic about Tampa and explore relocating here after graduation
- These professionals have graduated from the most prestigious universities in the United States
- The Recreation Department of the City of Tampa can enhance its recreational programs and activities within River Front Park
- Inner-City youth programs can benefit from a rowing program that raises self esteem and teaches teamwork and responsibility
- Future educational and scholarship opportunities will be available to area youth
To download the entire report, click here(ppt 13.9 MB). or here (pdf, 447 KB).
