Issue of the Month: Kent County Sports Commission

The County Commission established the West Michigan Sports Commission seven years ago to bring new tourist and economic development to our county by bringing popular sports events to the area. In 2012 The Sports Commission brought 60 events with thousands of people and millions of dollars spent in hotels, restaurants and entertainment areas. Some signature events the Sports Commission has become involved in are (1) the Meijer State Games of Michigan which features 31 sports in an Olympic format so that participants can get a feel of the actual International Olympics, (2) the 2012 Transplant Games of America which highlighted participants with and/or participating in some sort of organ transplant, and (3) Major college venues such as the MHSAA Division I swimming and diving championship competition and the NCAA Division I hockey regional at Van Andel Arena. A recent highlight is the construction of a 12 field baseball and softball complex in northern Kent County that will bring numerous baseball and softball competitions to our area from throughout Michigan and surrounding states. This new complex received a major donation from Art Van Furniture plus many others donors to cover the cost of development. No Kent County general fund dollars are involved. This new complex will be completed by Fall of 2013, and is expected to have an economic impact of $10 M in the first five years of operation. One of the fields will be used by players with disabilities and will be called the ‘Miracle Field’. The Sports Commission is also working to make Grand Rapids one of the regional sites for future NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament. The next big event this year will be the Meijer Games on June 21-23 at the Fifth Third Ballpark.