Tampa Water Sports Center 
Proposal Review and Feasibility Assessment

Study Director: Dr. Erika Matulich, PhD, PCM 
Assistant Researcher: Virginie Carmillet, MBA 
Summer, 2003

Facility Proposal

Location: River Front Park, west side of Hillsborough River, on Cypress at North Boulevard. Lease provided by the City of Tampa.

Goal: To provide a water sports facility for area youth

Goal: To provide a facility for recreational rowing, including kayaks and canoes

Goal: To provide a facility for visiting collegiate teams

Proposed Facility Specification

• 2-story facility with elevator
• 8 bays to provide storage for 100 racing shells, canoes, kayaks
• Housing for up to 100 students
  • Visiting collegiate teams in winter
  • Youth Hostel in summer
  • Elder Hostel in spring/fall
• Laundromat and restrooms
• Housing for coaches
• Live-in manager accommodations
• Kitchen and cafeteria
• Living area for study or entertainment
• Classrooms
• Dock area
• Parking

Economic Impact

• One 2/3-day regatta competition would generate about $700,000 in local spending
  • Includes hotel rooms, meals, gas, incidentals
  • Does not include sales tax
• One visiting collegiate team generates over $10,000 in local spending per week (average stay is 2 weeks)
• Potential for over 20 teams per year is $400,000
• Total economic impact is over $1 million annually (at minimum)

Additional Benefits

• Many visiting collegiate rowers become enthusiastic about Tampa and explore relocating here after graduation
  • These professionals have graduated from the most prestigious universities in the United States
• The Recreation Department of the City of Tampa can enhance its recreational programs and activities within River Front Park
• Inner-City youth programs can benefit from a rowing program that raises self esteem and teaches teamwork and responsibility
• Future educational and scholarship opportunities will be available to area youth

To download the entire report, click here(ppt 13.9 MB). orhere (pdf, 447 KB).