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OCB explores ways to turn tournaments into hotel stays as Playfield Commons project nears
Summary
OCB members discussed leveraging the Ozzie Smith turf fields and the planned 160,000‑square‑foot Playfield Commons to attract regional tournaments, boost overnight stays and channel visitor spending to local businesses through QR guides, visitor packets, sponsored nights and vendor booths.
The O'Fallon civic board spent substantial time on June 30 discussing ways to turn a rise in tournament play at the Ozzie Smith turf fields into more overnight stays and local spending.
Patrick McKeon told the board the city has invested in the fields and in a planned indoor complex, the O'Fallon Playfield Commons, a 160,000‑square‑foot facility that a developer estimates could bring "potentially up to 500,000 visitors to our community over a year, once open." The board discussed a range of tactics to promote local businesses to tournament participants, including on‑site signage, QR code visitor packets distributed at hotels, promotional booths at events and sponsored tournament nights that encourage attendees to use area hotels and restaurants.
Members suggested possible requirements for tournament organizers — for example, asking organizers who seek many weekends to ensure a share of out‑of‑area teams that are more likely to book hotel rooms. Commissioners also flagged the need to clarify whether field rental fees were adjusted after the turf installation; they agreed to ask recreation staff for updated pricing and economics at a future meeting.
Several members emphasized working with hotels and local businesses on co‑marketing and promotions rather than charging organizers fees that could deter events. The board asked staff to continue developing ideas and return with details and potential seed funding requests at the July meeting.
