Seminole County looks to attract more tourists with plans for new indoor sports complex

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Seminole County is planning to build a large new sports complex to try to draw in more visitors and money.

It’s part of the county’s vision to try to get a bigger piece of the tourism pie.

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County commissioners are assessing the results of a tourism study, which is expected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for businesses.

One major takeaway from the study is the need for an indoor sports arena near the airport. It would not be too far down the road from the county’s Boombah Sports Complex.

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The county estimates that a new indoor facility could generate tens of millions of dollars or more if approved.

Inside it could hold 5,000 to 6,000 people and would host soccer, basketball, wrestling, track and volleyball tournaments. The total cost to build it would be $61 million.

According to the tourism study, the sports complex could generate $1 billion in revenue for the county, hotels and other businesses over a 30-year period.

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According to the study, area hotels would see 17,000 new bookings in the first year alone, and area restaurants and bars would also see thousands of dollars in new revenue.

The county’s plan to pay for the complex involves creating a tourism improvement district that would levy an additional fee on hotel rooms.

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