KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Discover Kalamazoo will formally ask Kalamazoo County commissioners to set the dates for a referendum by large hotel owners, to decide if they are willing to finance a new youth sports complex this week.
The 4% assessment on hotel stays is something the state initiated during the pandemic to fund such projects. (under Public Act 340 of 2020)
Jane Ghosh heads up the local tourism bureau and says their consultant believes once they get the complex built, it will pay for itself.
Audio PlayerThe youth center will include eight basketball courts, that can be converted to 16 volleyball courts, and a turfed area under one roof for use by the community during the week and tournaments on weekends.
Audio PlayerShe says it’s an opportunity that may be limited.
Audio PlayerGhosh says she thinks she has the support of the three-dozen hotel operators, who stand to gain an estimated 36,000 additional hotel stays annually from the new facility.
The request will be up for first reading at Tuesday afternoon’s committee of the whole meeting with a final vote at their next meeting.
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