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More than 20 years after its release, “Field of Dreams’” mantra, “If you build it, they will come,” has possibly become one of the most overused lines from any movie. Yet, it seems all too fitting for what’s been happening lately within the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority.
In the past couple of months, the Authority has announced the acquisition of several tournaments that will bring thousands of people to South Georgia and thousands upon thousands in tourist dollars.
The latest announcement came earlier this month when the Authority announced that Valdosta and Lowndes County will host 40 to 60 teams for eight to nine Amateur Softball Association tournaments this year.
Before anyone brings out the overused argument that South Georgia cares only for sports, consider this. Those visiting teams will stay in area hotels. They will eat in area restaurants. They will purchase gas from area pumps. They will visit area businesses.
They will spend a great deal of money here. The Parks & Rec Authority estimates the Amateur Softball Association tournaments will have a $1.2 million to $1.5 million economic impact on Valdosta and Lowndes County.
That’s on top of other tournaments announced in December.
The Authority also secured hosting rights to major baseball tournaments.
In April, Valdosta and Lowndes County host the United States Specialty Sports Association’s Border War baseball tournaments between Georgia and Florida teams. Forty-seven teams are expected for an economic impact of a quarter-million dollars.
And the Parks & Rec Authority continues seeking other tournaments for Valdosta-Lowndes County.
“Basically, we let the national people know that Valdosta-Lowndes County was open for business for youth and adult tournaments. And they got the message loud and clear,” said George Page, Parks & Rec director. “We are going to do all that we can to bring these national tournaments to our town, because we have great facilities. We have a great parks and recreation staff, as far as hosting.”
And attractive facilities. Freedom, Vallotton and South Lowndes Parks have a total of 19 baseball fields traditionally used by local teams. Area teams will still have use of the fields, but now these fields will also bring hundreds of other people to Valdosta and Lowndes County.
So, it may be a cliched movie line, but it has proven true here. If you build it, they will come.
What We Think
Sports tourneys: They will come
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School’s out so watch out!
Summer is a time of rest, vacations and trips. It is a time when school is out, when people take time off from work, when people may stay out a little later. It is a time of swimming, trying new things, and seeking adventure.
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Qualifiers are next leaders
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To the 2011-12 arts season. Theatre Guild Valdosta’s rollicking comedy, “Caught in the Net,” officially brings to a close a magnificent schedule of shows ranging from theatre to opera to concerts to art exhibits and more from a variety of area venues. Theatre Guild will also open the 2012-13 season this summer with the musical “Into the Woods.” Until then, arts lovers can soon enjoy a new series of exhibits from the year-round Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts and three musicals starting in two weeks from Peach State Summer Theatre.
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Video helps veterans
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For those unfamiliar with Community Blueprint, Valdosta is one of three cities across the nation selected as a pilot city for the program. -
Happy Mother's Day!
Mother. Mama. Mommy. Ma. Mom. She fed us when we were too small to feed ourselves. She nurtured us, clothed us, cleaned us, protected us.
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Thumbs Up. thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Dr. Brian Hickox. Valdosta’s newest chiropractor overcame great odds to open his practice last week. Born with partial vision, an assault robbed him of the remainder of his sight. Despite these odds, he followed his dream to become a chiropractor. School took him twice as long, at seven years rather than the usual three and a half to complete, but he reached his goal. The story of Brian Hickox should be an inspiration to us all. It proves that we may lack sight, we may have to overcome difficulties and disabilities, but that doesn’t mean we have to lack vision.
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School’s out so watch out!
