Sports Tourism Capital Investment Fund awards include new indoor track and pickleball facilities

The Delaware Tourism Office has awarded grants totaling over 11 million dollars from the state’s Sports Tourism Capital Investment Fund to four sports facilities in all three counties.
Wilmington Sports, LLC has received $6 million to construct a new indoor track facility adjacent to the Wilmington’s Chase Fieldhouse. The facility, Indoor Delaware Track, will utilize the new space.
DE Turf in Frederica has been granted $3 million for improvements that include tripling current stadium seating and constructing a new tournament facility.
STATS Tournaments in Bear will be installing stadium lights at two fields and building one additional baseball field and softball field with its $300,000 grant.
Midway Motion & Fitness is receiving $2 million to build a pickleball complex in Rehoboth with 12 indoor and 4 outdoor courts meeting American Pickleball Association requirements.

Jessica Welch, Director of the Delaware Tourism Office, notes that the indoor track and pickleball projects were chosen for their potential to attract unique events to the state. Welch highlights the importance of the Sports Tourism Capital Investment Fund in maintaining competitive facilities that can draw out-of-state visitors and boost the local economy through sports events.
Welch emphasizes that sports tourism is a significant economic driver, bringing in thousands of visitors and generating millions of dollars in revenue for the state.
A total of 18 venues applied for grants totaling 54 million dollars, with the panel selecting the top four projects while also striving to have a mix of new and existing facilities across all three counties.