(The Center Square) – The Spokane Valley City Council recently approved a $4.4 million allocation from local lodging taxes for development of a new 60-acre facility for cross country running and cyclocross bicycle races.
The city has partnered with local nonprofit Spokane Sports on the project, which seeks to host events ranging from local youth to collegiate and elite national competitions. City officials believe the facility will add to the Spokane region’s robust sports scene and further boost tourism and retail sales for businesses.
“I’m very supportive,” council member Brandi Peetz said during a Dec. 5 meeting. “I know this will bring a lot to the city.”
In 2022, the council established a citywide Tourism Promotion Area and oversight commission. After discussions with the commission, the city authorized $300,000 in TPA funding to Spokane Sports for recruitment and marketing services this year with agreement for up to four annual renewals. During a Dec. 12 meeting, the council approved another $400,000 in funding for 2024.
At the time, Councilmember Ben Wick expressed some concern about the increased funding, saying he did not want to see that amount being appropriated each year.
Mike Basinger, city economic development director, agreed, saying, “We’ll be very cautious with that as we more forward.”
In a Dec. 5 presentation to the council, Spokane Sports CEO Ashley Blake said total cost for the proposed cross county/cyclocross facility is estimated at $7 million. Construction is expected to start in the first quarter of 2024 with completion anticipated in 2025. Blake said it will take a solid effort to build a “national quality facility” and begin recruitment of events over the next decade.
“We need a level of (funding) security in that area … on a significant scale,” she said.
As proposed, the city would own and maintain the facility at Flora Park and would be the lead in procuring a project architect and construction contractor. A small portion of the property is owned by Washington State Parks and local officials say the agency is supportive of the proposal.
Blake said Spokane Sports will be responsible for facility design, recruiting and planning events, marketing and media services, handling medical and staff management, and promotional partnerships with local hotels, restaurants, sponsors, and other tourism-related businesses.
In the coming year, Spokane Sports staff expects to do “event scouting and client relationship development” at regional and national NCAA collegiate cross country championships for Division I, II and III schools, and attend the 2024 USA Cycling Cyclocross Championships next December in Kentucky.
Invitations to visit the Spokane Valley site will be extended to various race directors and representatives from sports governing bodies ranging from the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association to USA Track & Field; collegiate conferences including the Pac-12, WAC, Mountain West, Big Sky and WCC; and such national running brands as Brooks, Hoka, Nike and Saucony.
State law allows Washington counties and cities to receive revenues from a “hotel/motel” tax which must be earmarked for tourism-related purposes.
Spokane Valley collects a 3.3% tax levied on transient lodging establishments including hotels, motels, and campgrounds. The 2% portion must be distributed to qualified applicants for promotion of events and activities that results in overnight stays in the community – that is, putting “heads in beds.” The 1.3% portion has been restricted by the city council for capital expenditures toward sporting venues or tourism-related facilities.
The city’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee had recommended the $4.4 million appropriation for the proposed running/cycling facility. Earlier this month, council members also asked state lawmakers representing Spokane Valley to request a $600,000 appropriation in capital funding in the upcoming legislative session. If approved, that state money plus the city’s allocation are expected to be adequate to construct a functioning course.
The city and Spokane Sports will seek additional funding and sponsorship sources to complete other amenities. Elite and national collegiate events, for example, would require restroom modifications to allow for drug testing of athletes.
