Paradise Coast Sports Complex spent the start of its 2022-23 fiscal year focused on recovery from Hurricane Ian. Despite those challenges and other obstacles, such as construction delays, officials for the East Naples complex near Collier Boulevard and Interstate 75 interchange anticipate generating almost 50% more revenue than originally anticipated through the end of the fiscal year.
“In speaking with colleagues around the industry, what we’ve been able to achieve has been noticed around the industry and we are being used as a case study about what can be achieved with the circumstances that have been presented to us,” said Paradise Coast Sports Complex General Manager Adrian Moses during a Collier County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday.
The 3-year-old facility successfully rescheduled all its events that were canceled due to the hurricane, and hosted events displaced by the storm, such as the Peace River Conference Pop Warner football finals and the Gulf Coast Runners Thanksgiving 5K. On Independence Day, the complex hosted an estimated 7,500 people for a fireworks show after the city of Naples canceled its annual show due to beach safety concerns.
Originally, the complex projected a revenue of more than $1.3 million, which was then adjusted to an estimated $1.9 million in April. Now, nearing the end of the fiscal year, facility officials foresee generating $2.05 million in revenue, a 48% improvement from the initial projection. Moses credited staff for much of the financial achievement.
“[The staff] leans into the challenge that we have,” Moses said. “They all take personal responsibility for their own roles and responsibilities, but also the success of the facility as well.”
Future revenues for Paradise Coast Sports Complex could increase with the development of a Great Wolf Lodge resort and indoor water park, which will be directly adjacent to the facility. Although Moses is unsure of how exactly the new hotel will impact the sports complex, his team has been having discussions on how the two could feed off of each business’ needs and support challenges.
“We’re really excited for the Great Wolf Lodge facility to be finished,” Moses said. “The importance of the additional hotel rooms to the sports industry, specifically with the hotel which is geared towards youth, is very important to us.”
Collier County Tourism Director Paul Beirnes couldn’t provide specific numbers to the board when asked how the sports facility has directly impacted tourism, but said each event helps the industry in some way.
“Every single thing that we’re talking about during the year, whether it is concerts, whether it’s sporting events, any of that is part of the fiber of what we’re communicating to tourists as well to draw them in,” Beirnes said.
As for the upcoming fiscal year, Moses said the complex will host more major events than the previous year. “Some major news will be coming out about some events and also some partners that we’re working with right now, which will always be in the best interest of the county first,” he said.
