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Bradley County to study turf fields after repeated rainouts; commissioners form committee, ask staff for cost and grant estimates
Summary
Commissioners heard detailed testimony from recreation staff and the Chamber on revenue lost from rainouts, sports tourism impact, and participant numbers; leadership asked staff to produce cost estimates and pursue grants and will form a committee with finance involvement to study turf options.
Commissioners at the Bradley County work session on Oct. 13 directed staff to study the feasibility and cost of installing turf fields after presentations on revenue lost to rainouts, participant counts and the county’s sports-tourism potential.
Commissioner Louie Alford opened the discussion and asked recreation staff and tourism officials to outline how rainouts affect tournaments and local business. Andy (department head for recreation and athletics) told commissioners that recent seasons saw multiple rainout dates: "In '24, we had about 10 dates rained out... Lost about 260 games," and said those cancellations translate into lost concession and rental revenue. Andy estimated recreational participation at about 1,100 in the spring and roughly 750–800 in the fall. "If you got turf, you wait till it stops raining, then you go back out there and start playing," Andy said, arguing turf fields reduce rainouts and make the county more attractive to tournament directors.
Miss Woody, representing the Chamber of Commerce's tourism development work, told the commission that visitor spending in Bradley County reached $196,600,000 in 2024 and generated $19,600,000 in local and state taxes. She emphasized sports as a high-impact tourism product and said local facilities improvements could increase hotel occupancy and visitor spending. "If you want to have the biggest revenue return from your investment, it's gonna be sports facilities," she said.
Commissioners discussed capacity and locations for turf. Recreation staff listed existing complexes and field counts: six fields at one county complex, four at Bradley North, four at Blue Springs, and four at Elrod Park, with tournaments concentrated at the northern complexes and the Menace Road/Industrial Park area.
On next steps, Commissioner Rogers asked that the matter be sent to Commissioner Blake and the finance department to search for funding. Chairman (unnamed) said he would organize a committee within a couple of days to scope options and agreed finance involvement was likely needed. The chairman also suggested exploring grants and corporate partners. The commission asked Andy to provide potential cost estimates for turf installation and any grant options as quickly as possible.
No binding vote was taken. Commissioners who spoke indicated support for a study and for forming a committee to outline scope, costs and funding options; formal budget or procurement action will require later committee recommendations and possible inclusion in the county budget or grant applications.
The discussion also touched on secondary amenities suggested by several commissioners, including a proposed competition-sized swimming pool, splash pad, and pickleball courts; these were raised as ideas to improve quality of life and attract families, but no committee or staff assignment was made on those items.
