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Smith River Sports Complex draws tournaments and out-of-town visitors, county says
Summary
Parks director Roger Adams said the county-run Smith River Sports Complex hosted events last year that drew more than 100,000 visits—approximately 31,000 from out of town—and contributes to local spending; the county is moving forward on capital maintenance and programming.
Roger Adams, Henry County's director of parks and recreation, updated the board on usage and economic impacts at the Smith River Sports Complex after the county assumed ownership and management in 2023.
"Last year, we had over 100,000 people that visited the Smith River Sports Complex," Adams said, reporting that about 31,000 visitors were from out of town and that visitors traveled an average of 154 miles for events. He described frequent weekend tournaments (48 weekends with organized activity), regional and national draw (visitors from 19 states and 10 foreign countries) and business-generation benefits such as hotel stays and restaurant spending.
Adams and staff said the county is continuing site work (grading Lot 3 at Common Crossing) and pursuing hotel and tourism development opportunities, and they noted staffing and event management successes since the county took over operations in 2023.
