Sports Feasibility Study in Madison determines need for enhanced local facilities

Destination Madison and the Madison Area Sports Commission, with funding support from the Dane County Board of Supervisors, recently commissioned a Sports Feasibility Study, as stated in a press release today.

The study examined the current state and future needs of Dane County’s sports facilities; it was prompted by local communities desiring research and data surrounding trends in youth sports and sports tourism post-pandemic.

Victus Advisors, which conducted the study, was tasked with evaluating the potential for sports facilities in Dane County and assessing whether there was a sports tourism demand that would support future facilities. The study looked at comparable markets such as Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Appleton, Rockford, and the Chicago area.

The study found that local facilities currently do not compare to competitor facilities. Area complexes lack enough fields or courts to host large regional events; school facilities are stretched thin with limited access for public usage; and there is a dearth of sports tourism facilities, particularly indoor track facilities.

Victus identified three types of potential sports complexes that would enhance Dane County sports offerings and provided examples of successful complexes in comparable cities. The feasibility study has been shared with the county and with local municipalities, and the Madison Area Sports Commission is currently working to facilitate next steps discussions.