Goodyear outlines sports and tourism strategy; I‑10 basins and Ballpark Village singled out for follow‑up

Wendy Bridges, Goodyear’s economic development director, told council on June 16 that the city has begun consolidating tourism work into a cohesive strategy built around five pillars: sports; outdoor and nature‑based recreation; arts and culture; shopping, dining and entertainment; and conferences and meetings. "Tourism can be defined in a lot of different ways," Bridges said, noting sports and leisure travel already draw visitors to Goodyear.

Joe Stewart, senior business development manager, said current marketing and assets — notably Goodyear Ballpark and a nationally recognized BMX track — provide a foundation but efforts are "largely fragmented and reactive." "There hasn't been a unifying strategy tying all these pieces together into a cohesive tourism vision," he said.

Parks and recreation interim director David Side and Deputy City Manager Justin Fair discussed sports tourism opportunities tied to the I‑10 basins property, which the city acquired about a decade ago from the Maricopa County Flood Control District with restrictions on use. Fair said a 2023 feasibility study estimated a full, phased build‑out for the basins at roughly $64,000,000 and that a city‑issued RFI generated seven responses from potential partners; some respondents suggested they might help operate or partially invest but none pledged to fully fund construction. "There are individuals interested in potential partnerships," Fair told the council.

Council members discussed costs, competing capital priorities and partnership models. Several members urged staff to continue public‑private outreach while making clear that any city funding or formal inclusion in the capital improvement program would be considered during the strategic plan and budget process this fall. "If there's a backer who wants to invest, then we're in a different position," Council Member Vicky said.

Staff also flagged other tourism actions: creating an Office of Tourism as a division of economic development (short‑term, using existing resources), targeted outreach to small‑group meeting markets, building partnerships with regional entities and exploring public‑private financing for infrastructure. Bridges said the city already leverages Arizona Office of Tourism (Prop 302) funds for marketing and operates a tourism website, visitgoodyear.com.

On Ballpark Village, staff said an RFP will be released in early July for development proposals on the 50+ acres surrounding Goodyear Ballpark, with an emphasis on experiential retail and entertainment to complement (not compete with) nearby GSQ retail. Council members were told timelines for vertical development will depend on proposals and market decisions.

Bridges summarized the recommendation set as short‑term actions (stakeholder engagement, use of existing Prop 302 funds, standing up an office of tourism), medium‑term steps (formal destination strategy, sports partnerships, public‑private partnership exploration) and long‑term aims (event venues, multi‑use sports facilities). Council did not take any formal vote but asked staff to continue partnership work and bring basin/strategic plan options back in the fall.