A new report shows that a big money maker for the city of Sparks is one of its parks. Golden Eagle Park is proving to be a gold mine for the local economy.
"In 2015, our economic impact was an estimated $22.2 million," said Tony Pehle with Sparks Parks and Recreation.Â
Golden Eagle on Vista Boulevard in northeast Sparks is massive, boasting more than 6 million visitors since opening in 2008 and 50 tournaments in 2015, a number that grows every year.
"We've just had a really positive response from everybody about this park."
In 2015 alone, over 1,100 teams spent the equivalent of 45,000 room nights, a major boost for the parks closet resort-casino, the Nugget. Â Â Â
"If we didn't have these teams here we'd have some real big voids in some of our occupancy so I think all of the hotels would agree that we need this type of business in Reno/Sparks," said Amanda Flangas, Executive Vice President of Sales at the Nugget Casino Resort.Â
It's not just hotels. Time in between games is usually spent at other area attractions like restaurants and malls. Many businesses ask Sparks Parks and Recreation for a tournament schedule in advance to make sure they are fully staffed for when Golden Eagle Park brings the crowds.
All types of sports come to Golden Eagle Park, even a variety of age groups.
"We're a softball team with a beer drinking problem," Bob Anderson, of the "Animals," a senior softball team from Modesto, California. Â
This week is the Senior USA Rockin’ Reno Softball Tournament and 200 teams are here for nine days. Players credit the world-class facilities.
"The complex is just perfect. It's great for us old guys, it's soft, it's cushioned," Anderson.Â
Golden Eagle has been a real catch for the entire region and is getting even bigger. They'll soon have basketball courts as well.
"When we built it we knew it was going to be popular but we didn't know that it would have the economic impact that it did on our community," Tony Pehle.Â
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