Topeka Area Sports Commission unveils plan to keep youth sports dollars in Shawnee County

Mike Bell of the Topeka Area Sports Commission told the Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 3 that the commission will pursue recruitment, facility upgrades and targeted bids to keep youth sports dollars in the Topeka area and to attract more events to Shawnee County.

Bell said the commission measured direct spending tied to local events at about $27,000,000 in 2024 and about 17,000 room nights. He told commissioners an independent survey of roughly 1,200 area residents—called “Road Warriors”—found about 70% of families with children travel outside the county for competitions and many make more than 11 trips a year. Bell estimated the typical traveling family spends about $161 per day, and he said that pattern represents roughly $7,000,000 that leaves the local economy.

The commission’s plan for 2025 centers on four areas: recruitment and community storytelling, highlighting existing venues, improving sports facilities and infrastructure, and hosting a wider range of events. Bell described recent successes and losses in event bookings, saying the commission generated about 81 event leads in 2024 but lost about 15 events representing an estimated $11,000,000 in potential impact.

Bell highlighted existing Shawnee County…