Consultants say Kingman has local support, modest regional appeal for mid-size sports and recreation center

Tyler Othon, a consultant with Conventions, Sports and Leisure International (CSL), told the Kingman City Council on July 1 that a feasibility study funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development grant indicates strong local support for a mid‑size sports and recreation facility and only moderate interest from out‑of‑market tournament producers.

The study — procured by the city in December 2024 and presented as an update by CSL — matters because it will guide recommendations on facility size, program mix and potential economic impact for Kingman and the surrounding Northern Arizona region.

CSL reported that its research included a late‑April site visit, interviews with more than 430 stakeholders, outreach to regional and national event organizers, and an online community survey that drew roughly 1,500–1,600 responses. “We have a huge opportunity, to build something that benefits not only Kingman but but the Northern Arizona region,” Othon said during his presentation.

Othon summarized several findings: the local inventory for indoor event space is limited (CSL counted only two event rooms with more than 5,000 square feet and roughly seven indoor basketball courts in the market), and the nearest large indoor tournament center in the 90‑mile radius, the Anderson Group Fieldhouse in Bullhead City, appears to draw mostly local visitors rather than significant regional traffic. CSL interviewed 14 volleyball, basketball, gymnastics and cheer organizers who collectively represent more than 200 annual events; Othon said approximately four of those 14 expressed positive interest in bringing events to Kingman.

Community survey results, Othon said, showed that about 70% of respondents “either probably would or definitely would” pay for the facility via a tax or an annual membership fee. The survey also showed demand across age groups for amenities such as an indoor walking track, an indoor playground, wooden gymnasium courts and an indoor rock‑climbing wall.

Othon told the council that out‑of‑market event producers generally indicated they would consider Kingman for smaller, regional tournaments rather than immediately programming large multi‑court events. “They’re more interested in bringing a smaller, more regional focused tournaments and competitions to the area,” he said.

CSL said next steps include finalizing the report, preparing preliminary cost estimates for two or more building scenarios, a cost‑benefit and economic impact analysis, operational revenue and expense projections, staffing plans, and a scored site analysis of several candidate sites identified with city staff.

Terry Curtis, with Kingman economic development staff, introduced CSL and framed the study as an effort to identify the right mix between a sports event center and a community recreation center. The presentation closed with an invitation for council questions; none were recorded during the meeting.

CSL’s findings will be delivered to the city in final form and are intended to inform any future decisions about project scope, financing and siting.