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Wilmington Hammerheads report Enino Sports Park draws visitors but park roads need paving
Summary
Carson Porter of the Wilmington Hammerheads told the board Enino Sports Park hosts large tournaments that the organization says generated more than 6,000 overnight room stays and an estimated $3 million in weekend economic activity; Porter asked for attention to paving and parking improvements.
Carson Porter, executive director of the Wilmington Hammerheads, updated the board on Enino Sports Park and asked the city to consider paving park roads and parking areas to handle heavy event traffic.
Porter said the Hammerheads donated the 70-acre parcel to the city and that construction was funded in part by the city’s 2016 parks bond. The park currently features 11 full-size fields (one artificial turf, five with lights) and an award-winning restroom building, Porter said.
"We had north of 6,000 overnight stays and business sales in excess of $3 million" for a recent Elite Clubs National League event, Porter said, presenting the event’s reported economic figures as an example of sports tourism benefits the park brings to Wilmington. He described a typical weekend at the park as involving hundreds of cars and thousands of unique visitors, and said the current gravel access routes are showing rapid wear under heavy use.
Board members asked about ownership and management arrangements. Porter said the Hammerheads operate and manage the facility under an agreement with the city and that Enino holds a naming-rights sponsorship; Emerge Ortho was named as the park’s official healthcare partner. Porter said sponsorship and private fundraising have supported the park in addition to the municipal bond funds used for construction.
Porter identified paving access roads and parking as a top near-term need, saying gravel is serviceable but does not match the standard of the rest of the facility and is difficult for vehicles and visitors. He framed the improvement as necessary to support ongoing tournaments and the park’s potential to host larger regional or national events.
The presentation was a report to the board; no funding decision was made at the meeting. Porter and staff said they would continue to coordinate with the city on operations and maintenance priorities.
