Laserfiche WebLink
destination. lt coutd inftuence travel decisions, extend the average tength of stay, and increase <br />off-season visitation-atl, of which contribute to broader tourism-driven economic growth. <br />The projected operating budget (Section lll.3) inctudes non-resident revenue projections, <br />reftecting the expected contribution of visitor use to the facitity's financiaI sustainability and the <br />[ocaI economy. <br />3. Target Users <br />The Kittitas County Tourism Strategic Ptan identifies severaI key visitor segments: (1) Leisure <br />travelers, (2) event and festivaI attendees, (3) cutturaI and heritage tourists, (4) business and <br />university-retated visitors, and (5) day-use visitors. Each of these segments represents a <br />distinct opportunity for engagement through a pubticty accessible, year-round recreation <br />facitity. <br />This project is particul.arty wett-positioned to serve two high-impact segments: <br />1 . Event-based tourism, especialty sports tourism-incl,uding basketbatt tournaments, <br />swim meets, and other competitive athtetic events that bring participants and their <br />famities f rom across the region. <br />2. Leisure and business travelers, inctuding STR guests, conference attendees, and <br />families visiting the area who seek recreational options during their stay. <br />Currentty, Upper Kittitas County lacks sufficient indoor venues to host regionaI athletic events <br />at scate. For exampte, locaI basketbatl, programs have noted that tournament capacity is <br />constrained by the Limited avaitabitity of gymnasium space-restricting opportunities to host <br />events that attract weekend and hotidayvisitors from across the Pacific North. With the <br />addition of a modern recreation facil.ity, the region coutd significantty expand both the size and <br />number of such events. Likewise, nearby school districts have expressed interest in offering <br />expanded aquatic programming, such as swimming lessons and the potentiaI formation of a <br />swim team. These types of activities would not onty serve locaI youth but atso create <br />opportunities to host swim meets and related events, drawing visiting teams and families <br />from across the region. <br />Beyond sports, the recreation center wit[ atso accommodate a range of non-athletic event <br />uses, including private parties, weddings, and community functions. lts ftexibte <br />indoor/outdoor space creates the foundation for multi-purpose use that evotves over time. ln <br />future phases, based on pubtic input, enhancements such as a smat[ outdoor amphitheater <br />may be added, further expanding the faciLity's capacity to serve cutturaI and community <br />events. <br />9