4 • The Beacon April 1 , 2021
Kids America ’ s sports tournaments boost Coshocton ’ s economy
By Tara Gracyk
TheCoshoctonBeaconToday . com
Kids America has been hosting sports tournaments like soccer for years . However , COVID-19 changed how these tournaments are done . Instead of having tournaments for one weekend , tournaments have been spread out throughout the year in an effort to better accommodate all of the sports teams and meet COVID restrictions . This creative response is allowing children and teens to play their sport while having a positive economic impact on the community .
According to Mindy Brems , executive director at the Coshocton County Visitors Bureau , “ Most visitors spend approximately $ 330 per stay , which benefits hotels , restaurants , gas stations and overall has a positive economic benefit to the community .”
Brems and her team at the visitors bureau are making virtual information packets to send to the teams or individuals who register for the sports tournaments . These packets include information on restaurants that can accommodate large groups or who will provide catering options or things to do while in town such as visiting Lake Park or Clary Gardens or going to the
Submitted Suzie Tupper and Diane Erwin pose for a picture on the pickleball court at Kids America .
Submitted Isaac Bush is pictured giving some instructions to soccer players before the start of their game on Saturday evening , March 27 .
movies or the bowling alley .
“ We ’ re not used to seeing convention-size groups in the community , and we just want them to have an excellent experience while they are visiting . If they have a positive experience , they are more likely to visit again ,” Brems said .
Indoor and outdoor tournaments for activities such as soccer , volleyball , basketball , softball , baseball and flag football are scheduled throughout the year at Kids America . There are pickleball tournaments scheduled as well . In addition , Isaac Bush , executive director at Kids America , said there are plans to start up an adult softball league this year .
“ Although Kids America is focused on the kids , about 95 % of the time we try to offer adult programming too ,” Bush said .
In an effort to accommodate all of the teams during some of the tournaments , Kids America has been fortunate to lease the softball complex from Lake Park and also will use Stewart Field throughout the year as needed . As Bush explained , both Kids America and the Lake Park board have partnered together in an effort to update the fields and the softball central building where the restrooms , concessions and offices are located .
The Lake Park board received funding from the Coshocton Foundation to do construction on the exterior of the softball central building and fields while Kids America has been focused on updating the inside of the building .
Bush described how United Way encouraged him to utilize the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio , which has allowed Kids America to partner with the Cause Connector . Cause Connector allows
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Although Kids America is focused on the kids , about 95 % of the time we try to offer adult programming too .”
Isaac Bush
donors to contribute to nonprofit causes in Appalachian communities . This is how Kids America is doing their fundraising .
“ Local people can give to the project at Lake Park by going to www . causeconnector . org and donating . Cause Connector then matches donations that come in ,” Bush said .
It was in October 2020 that Kids America held its first tournament at Lake Park . “ A lot of out-of-town people are excited to come back ,” Bush said . “ Many locals are generating excitement for what Lake Park can be with the updates to the fields too .”
The goal is for the updates and the fields to be completed by the end of April as Kids America will host five softball tournaments there .
There has been considerable time , thought and creativity put into planning these tournaments as well as attempting to make visitors feel welcome , and there are ways residents can help . One way locals can have a positive impact this year is by donating to the Kids America project at Lake Park . Another way individuals can enhance the community is by helping visitors have a pleasant experience while they are visiting Coshocton . A key component to this endeavor is for citizens to make sure these visitors have polite , friendly , kind and positive encounters while they are here .
“ Instead of saying why you don ’ t like a certain restaurant , tell people what your favorite restaurant is in the area . Don ’ t say anything negative about Coshocton . Instead , try to say positive things ,” Brems said .
This will help people enjoy their visit and want to come back , and the more people who visit Coshocton , the better impact there is on the community ’ s economy .