County adopts event-center financing ordinance to back proposed indoor youth sports facility

Kalamazoo County commissioners voted unanimously April 1 to adopt an ordinance establishing an event-center financing program and assessment district, clearing a key legal hurdle for a proposed indoor youth sports facility.

Supporters told the board during a public hearing that the facility would generate visitor spending and hotel room nights that they said will outweigh the cost to visitors from the new 4% assessment. Dave Morgan, CEO of the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo, said the facility would expand youth access to athletics and also “teach teamwork, discipline, and resilience.” Rich McDonald, chief operating officer of the Hinman Company, told commissioners the facility is expected to generate an estimated 36,000 additional room nights and said the projected off-season revenue would exceed the cost of the assessment.

Proponents included Discover Kalamazoo (the county’s tourism organization), area hoteliers and youth-service providers. Director Jane Ghosh of Discover Kalamazoo framed the ordinance as an investment largely paid for by visitors: she told the board the county’s restaurant and performing-arts sectors already rely on visitor spending and that an events facility would bring new groups and overnight stays to Kalamazoo County. Hoteliers who spoke said the new assessment combined with existing taxes would remain competitive with similar communities.

The county conducted a public hearing before the vote. Commissioners debated the item at length but framed it as an economic-development tool to grow hotel occupancy and restaurant revenue, particularly in traditionally slower months. The motion to adopt the ordinance was made by Vice Chair Taylor and supported by Commissioner Morales; the roll call vote was recorded as 9 yes, 0 no.

What the ordinance does: it authorizes creation of a financing program tied to a 4% assessment on room charges in the designated assessment district. The county clerk was directed to publish the ordinance in the Kalamazoo Gazette as required by law.

Next steps: with the ordinance adopted, staff and the project advocates can proceed with implementation steps described at the hearing, including outreach to hotels for the assessment process and next-level planning for the facility. The board and Discover Kalamazoo said they will monitor bookings and economic effects as the project moves forward.

Votes at a glance: the ordinance to establish an event-center financing program and assessment district passed on April 1, 2025, by roll call (9–0).

Ending: Commissioners and presenters emphasized that the facility’s financial model depends on attracting tournaments and events; county staff said they will return with implementation details and monitor whether projected room-night gains materialize.