Highlands County reviews TDC study that recommends turf, fairgrounds upgrades and P3 funding to grow sports tourism

The Highlands County Tourism Development Council on Nov. 4 presented findings from a $65,000 countywide facility study and recommended targeted investments to grow sports tourism while preserving community access. The presentation, delivered to the Board of County Commissioners, outlined options ranging from turf and field reconfigurations at Max Long and the county sports complex to an 80,000-square-foot concept for the fairgrounds and an indoor facility concept tied to a donated parcel.

TDC presenter Casey said the TDC paid for the comprehensive study so the county did not have to split costs among applicants. “So the TDC... we will just pay for the entire study,” Casey said, describing the intent to use tourism-development-tax research to direct investment where it will both drive visitors and improve local amenities.

Why it matters: consultants said Highlands County’s central location and smaller-market advantages make it attractive to tournament organizers that prefer lower costs and easier travel, especially during shoulder months. Jason from Synergy Sports estimated that upgrading the county’s facilities could raise annual visitors to about 85,000 and add roughly 50,000 hotel room nights compared with current sports tourism hotel nights of about 13,000 this year.

Key recommendations and estimates included turfing and reconfiguring fields at Max Long and the county sports complex to create multipurpose fields and add parking to host larger tournaments; a deep dive on the fairgrounds/Allen Jay Arena to create roughly 80,000 square feet of event space; and improvements to Lake June entry points to host more water-sports events. Jason gave an order-of-magnitude renovation estimate of $8–$10 million for Max Long, and the consultants summarized a combined call on the TDC’s Asset Development Enhancement ("third penny") fund of about $5.7 million if two county-owned projects proceed.

Funding approach and fiscal safeguards: consultants recommended municipality-lease public-private partnership (P3) structures in which private financiers bring capital and the county retains control over community use and revenue allocation. Jason described the typical predevelopment cost as about 5–10% of project cost (county-funded) and a two-year timeline (roughly six months predevelopment and 18 months construction). He warned that large indoor projects require larger annual lease payments and create appropriation risk for the county, but said mitigation tools include allocation of risk to the TDC, escrow accounts, sponsorships and naming-rights revenue.

Grants and near-term steps: Casey said the TDC applied for and received a state reimbursable grant that would help purchase 43 adjacent acres by the sports complex (grant agreement pending). The firemen/fair board also applied for a Department of Agriculture grant of $400,000 to support study recommendations at the fairgrounds; award notification was expected in March (per the presentation).

Commissioner concerns and next steps: commissioners pressed presenters on preserving community access (YMCA uses and weekday local programming), the county’s appropriation responsibility under long-term lease structures and what would happen if projects underperform. Consultants and TDC staff described ways to limit county exposure, such as requiring the TDC to cover an agreed initial amount, setting escrow reserves and negotiating community-use terms in contracts. Several commissioners asked the TDC to return with a prioritized recommendation based on local stakeholder feedback and additional drilled-down analysis.

The TDC will discuss recommendations with Lake Placid (presentation set at 2 p.m.) and the City of Sebring (presentation set at 5:30 p.m.) and report back to the commission. The workshop closed without formal action.