PAGE 2 December 2022
Sand Mountain Park and Amphitheater (SMPA) in Albertville has completed its first full operational year and the impact it is having on the region continues to expand. According to a press release, from Fall of 2021 to Fall 2022, the park hosted 100+ events, including 62 sports tournaments, 11 concerts, and numerous community- oriented events. The total estimated economic impact for Marshall County that the park has generated from October 2021 through September 2022 is $23.2M, compared to $14.2M over the same time frame the previous year. The growth in economic impact is a result of more events and park visitors associated with those events. “The city continues to see increases in direct and indirect economic impact due to the operation of Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater, said Mike Price, Director of Economic Development with the City of Albertville. Not only is there growth in specific sales tax revenue categories due to activity generated by visitors to the park - but there is also a continued interest in our area by retail, hospitality, and entertainment companies due in no small part to the park’s existence.” “The utilization of almost every area within the park has met or exceeded expectations up to this point, and that is reflected in our economic impact growth, said Sand Mountain Park General Manager Patrick O’Brien. It exhibits that we are executing our Mission consistently and bringing more visitors to the City of Albertville and Sand Mountain region through our events. We are also retaining nearly 100% of our events due to the level of service and client/customer experience that we provide. Our extremely talented and dedicated Team is the reason why we achieved this type of growth." The park hosted 1,750 teams, had over 97,000 member check-ins, over 300 teams participate in youth and adult recreation leagues, and over 1M unique park visitors. So not only are we generating significant economic impact for the region, but we are also significantly improving the mental and physical health of our community," added O'Brien. "Doing both of those at this volume is blazing a new trail in the sports, recreation, and entertainment industry because it is rare to see a venue to both with these types of numbers. The vision that the City of Albertville had for the park is coming to fruition, and it is helping cultivate significant growth in our community. Running parallel to that growth is a significant improvement in quality of life, and it is so rewarding for our Team to see and feel that every day at the park.” Marshall County Tourism and Sports President Keat Norton added that "We continue to partner with Sand Mountain Park and are excited to bring new events to the park next year." "Having the park and its facilities has opened doors to new opportunities that translate into additional room nights, as well as new visitors to our county. The positive economic impact of sports tourism on our community is only going to grow and expand as the park continues to build their brand. We are thrilled to be part of this growth," she added. “Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater has had a huge impact on our hotels, the Fairfield by Marriott in Albertville and the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton, and our vacation rental properties through Rohogo Rentals, here in Marshall County, said Darlene Temple, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, the Fairfield by Marriott. "By building a premier sports and entertainment venue that is visited not only by fellow Alabamians but nationwide, we have seen and hosted visitors from all over the country including Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Indiana, Michigan, etc., the list goes on and on. We are happy to be in a position to extend a warm, hospitable welcome and accommodate them as a proud and supportive partner of SMPA. The economic impact of the park reverberates throughout Marshall County as we have also seen new restaurants and companies choose to locate here because of SMPA. We have enjoyed hosting those companies' crews and staff throughout their building process, so the ripple effect is strongly felt by our lodging facilities.” “We have been busy almost every Saturday and most of it is ball teams and other functions from Sand Mountain Park, said Brittany Riddle, General Manager of Santa Fe restaurant in Albertville. It has definitely been an asset to our business!” SMPA had 23.2 Million Economic Impact Last Year
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, Alabama Ledger
By Brandon K. Pierce | Alabama Ledger Publisher A recent business trip led me to West Alabama, an area I have been to many times. I am usually in a hurry on the way to Florence, Muscle Shoals or just passing through on the way to somewhere else. However, during my recent trip, I had a few extra minutes and decided to check out the charming town of Tuscumbia, Alabama, which is only a few miles off Highway 72 near downtown Muscle Shoals. Growing up in Alabama I learned about the story of Helen Keller. She was a well known author and public speaker after she overcame deaf-blind conditions to communicate. However, I had never visited her childhood home. Tuscumbia hosts IVY Green, the historic house that is the birthplace and childhood home of Helen Keller. The preserved historic 1820's home is located just off the main street square, near the courthouse, and only a few blocks from the town's Spring Park. The home is available to tour and there is an admission fee. Although, I didn't take the inside tour, the outside is spectacular with beautiful trees and landscaping. Maybe the inside is something I can check out in the future. It might be worth the trip next June to attend the annual Helen Keller Festival. If you want to check out the home for yourself, the address is 300 North Commons Street West, Tuscumbia, AL 35674. Helen Keller's Birthplace
University of Tennessee Emeritus Professor and Distinguished Professor of Science Dr. Jan Simek will give a presentation at Northeast Alabama Community College in Rainsville at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2023, regarding cave inscriptions in Manitou Cave in Fort Payne. The lecture will be held in the small auditorium of the William M. Beck Fine Arts Center. Since coming to the University of Tennessee in 1984, Dr. Simek has served as Head of the Anthropology Department. From 2009 to 2011, he served as the 24th President of the University of Tennessee and was named President Emeritus by the Board of Trustees. He has published over 100 scholarly works, with a great deal of focus on the caves of France, as well as those of the Cumberland Plateau and Appalachian Mountains. In 2015 Dr. Simek said of Manitou, “The cave is an incredible place, and we will learn more and more as time goes on. The cave is a very important place from the point of view of Cherokee history and culture." The doors will open at 9:30 a.m., and the event is open to the public. For more information regarding this event please contact Blake Wilhelm at wilhelmb@nacc.edu or 256-638-4418, ext. 2288. Manitou Cave Presentation to be held on January 19
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, Alabama Ledger
Lincoln Bruce poses for a photo with Santa and the Grinch.
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How to contact The Sports Ledger, LLC & Alabama Ledger EMAILS Five County Service Area
The Sports Ledger, LLC Established in 2006 MAILING ADDRESS PO BOX 175 Albertville, AL 35950
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