SportsEvents is edited for those who plan tournaments or other sports events.
Issue link: https://sportsevents.epubxp.com/i/80957
Home Hotel tax: 12 percent Fields & facilities: Seven basketball courts, 83 tennis courts, 23 badminton courts, 11 volleyball courts, a track and field facility, 18 multi-purpose fields, seven baseball fields, and softball fields. Contact: DeKalb CVB, www.visitat lantasdekalbcounty.com. Duluth/Gwinnett County Duluth is situated in Gwinnett County and is a suburb of Atlanta. The area fea- tures more than 10 golf courses and 40 parks. In 2008, the National Recreation and Park Association recognized Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation as the nation's top parks and recreation department. Hotel rooms: 10,950 countywide Hotel tax: 13 percent; 14 percent in Lawrenceville Contact: Gwinnett Sports Commission, www.gcvb.org. LaGrange LaGrange is in west Georgia near the Georgia-Alabama state line with a 26,000-acre lake that's just 10 minutes from downtown. Hotel rooms: 1,000 Hotel tax: 15 percent Fields & facilities: a 26,000-acre lake, two pools, two natatoriums, 63 holes of golf, 400 miles of cycling- friendly roadway, 45 miles of multi-pur- pose trails, 14 softball diamonds, 26 baseball diamonds, 28 gymnasiums, a 5,000-seat stadium, 40 tennis courts, 22 rectangle fields, two tracks, and 4,215 acres suitable for multiple sports. Contact: LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce, www.lagrangechamber.com. Subscribe Site Selection GUIDE Macon In the heart of central Georgia is Macon, a city that's easily accessible from Interstates 16 and 75. The city often hosts sports events such as tennis, wrestling and basketball. "Our unique sports attractions give Macon a special twist," said Stephanie Robinson, director of marketing for the Macon-Bibb County CVB. "We are home to the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, the country's largest state sports hall of fame, as well as the historic Luther Williams Field, a baseball stadium built in 1929." Hotel rooms: 5,500 Hotel tax: 13 percent Fields & facilities: 44 tennis courts and two golf courses. Contact: Macon-Bibb County CVB, www.visitmacon.org. Rome Rome is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in northwest Georgia in the center of what is called the "A-B-C Triangle"—the area between Atlanta, Birmingham and Chattanooga. The city features more than four miles of paved trails along its riverfronts, along with miles of mountain biking and hik- ing trails. Hotel rooms: 870 Hotel tax: 13 percent Barron Stadium:With 5,300 seats in downtown Rome, Barron Stadium is sit- uated between the banks of the Oostanaula and Coosa rivers. The stadi- um, which hosts, soccer, lacrosse, foot- ball, and track and field, recently under- went a $3.7 million renovation. The 4,000-seat, 20,400-square-foot Forum is located in the same area and hosts basketball, wrestling and rodeos. See ad on p. 44 Contact: Greater Rome CVB, www.romegeorgia.org. Savannah Savannah, in southeast Georgia, is a pop- ular tourist destination thanks to its natu- ral beauty and historic attractions. But the city is also a top spot for sports events such as running, golf, hockey and tennis. "With the capacity to accommo- date large groups, Savannah is an ideal choice for everything from annual con- ventions to major sporting events," said Benjamin Wilder, director of the Greater Savannah Sports Council. Hotel rooms: 14,986 Hotel tax: 13 percent Fields & facilities: 23 baseball/soft- ball fields, 17 multi-purpose fields, 72 tennis courts, two pools, and sports facil- ities at three universities, Savannah State University, Armstrong Atlantic State University and Savannah College of Art & Design. Grayson Stadium is a 4,700- seat minor league baseball stadium with parking for 1,000. Contact: Visit Savannah, www.visit savannah.com, or the Greater Savannah Sports Council, www.savannahsports council.com. Valdosta Valdosta is located in Lowndes County in southern Georgia. The city was voted by ESPN as "TitleTown USA" in 2008 in recognition of the city's excellence in sports. "Without a single pro sports title to claim, Valdosta beat out giants such as New York, Boston and Los Angeles by excelling in a variety of sports at the high school and college levels," said Tyra Howard, director of tourism and film for Visit Valdosta. Hotel rooms: 3,900 in Lowndes County Hotel tax: 12 percent Fields & facilities: Among the Macon sports facilities in Valdosta are a football field, a volleyball court, 12 tennis courts, four basketball courts, 26 baseball/softball fields, a skate park, a soccer field, a pool and more. Contact: Visit Valdosta, www.visitvaldosta.org. ■ P.T. Macon-Bibb County CVB 46 August 2012 www.sportseventsmagazine.com Contact S.P.O.R.T.S. 2012 ▼ Macon is home to the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, the largest state sports hall of fame in the nation.