How South Commons Complex brings revenue, visitors and lots of softball to Columbus
The South Commons Softball Complex was renovated in 2019 with the idea of bringing in revenue and tourists to the city of Columbus.
The stadium recently underwent a $4.8 million renovation that included upgrades to architectural improvements, a new drainage and irrigation system, upgrades in lighting and more. Continued upgrades will bring the total renovations cost to nearly $5.6 million. The city’s $3 million investment and private donations through the Columbus Sports Council of $2.2 million funded the renovations to the complex that were focused on two fields and a stadium built after the 1996 Olympics.
“Softball remains one of our top (sports) for sports tourism because of our accessibility we have to the venue,” Merri Sherman, executive director of the Columbus Sports Council, told the Ledger-Enquirer on Wednesday.
Here’s how softball brings new money — and new visitors — to Columbus:
REASONS FOR RENOVATION
The complex, which was recognized as the 2019 Complex of the Year by Stabilizer Solutions Inc., was first identified in 2018 as a potential site for the ESPN-televised USA Softball International Cup. Local officials quickly identified the need for significant upgrades to the facility for not only that tournament but for the dozens of other events held throughout the season.
The international cup, which took place at the complex in July 2019, expedited the process of the much-needed repairs.
With a budget of $4.8 million — and $3 million of that coming from city coffers — the renovation was a huge undertaking for the Columbus Sports Council and Columbus Parks and Recreation.
MORE VISITORS, MORE MONEY
Softball continues to bring in new money to Columbus through out-of-town visitors.
The complex drew 10,806 visitors in fiscal year 2019, which included the USA Softball International Cup, according to Sherman. Along with the Cup, the complex also hosted during that week the four-team Futures Cup for youth players. Combined, those tournaments brought an estimated $1.1 million to the local economy, VisitColumbusGA president and CEO Peter Bowden told the L-E in August.
Columbus also received invaluable media exposure, including telecasts on ESPN and ESPN2.
Each event the complex hosts is different, as some organizations cover certain expenses that others may not, but the economic impact of the events remains the same: The events hosted by South Commons alone traditionally bring in around $4.8 million, Sherman said.
“That’s new money into our economy that’s circulated,” Sherman said. “$4.8 million on the softball events is pretty big. That’s the hotel stays, the restaurants. And it really trickles down.”
According to information in the Sports Council archives, since 1995, the economic impact of the softball on Columbus has been $147.75 million.
MORE SOFTBALL ON THE WAY
Sherman said in June that the renovations will help sustain the complex and its economic impact by continuing to draw teams and competitions. Her prediction was, so far, correct.
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics announced Oct. 15, 2019 that the NAIA Softball Championship scheduled for May 2020 in Springfield, Missouri, will be relocated to Columbus due to a scheduling conflict. This will be the second time that Columbus has hosted the championship, as it also hosted the event in both 2013 and 2014.
The agreement is for 2020 only. However, the NAIA opened a bid for 2021-22 with submissions due Nov. 1, 2019. Columbus has submitted a bid to host the tournament.
The 2020 NCSA World Series will once again be held at the complex May 14-17. The U.S. national team is returning to the Fountain City, too.
USA Softball will play an exhibition doubleheader at 5 p.m. April 3 at the complex during its 2020 “Stand Beside Her” tour.
The GHSA state softball tournaments, which included 64 teams, were also held at the complex in October.
The Ledger-Enquirer reported in August that Columbus, where Olympic softball debuted in 1996, also has a good chance to continue being the site for other elite-level tournaments that combine to bring millions of dollars into the west Georgia and east Alabama region, according to local and USA Softball officials.
“The NAIA, we’re excited about them being here in town and seeing, first hand, what Columbus has to offer,” Sherman said. “And then, also, all the other exciting things that are happening in our community.”
