Stacy Brown, the executive director of the Shreveport-Bossier Tourist Bureau, which is now named Visit Shreveport Bossier (VSB), will address the Bossier City Council at its meeting Tuesday, Dec.17.
Brown will give a year-end report of the VSB and present 2025 budget information. This will be her third stop on her "let me tell you how great the tourist bureau" tour. One can expect a PowerPoint presentation that is difficult to digest without a hard copy. Brown failed to provide the PowerPoint to me in response to a public records request, but I now have a copy.
The Shreveport -Bossier Sports Commission, which is an arm of the VSB, recently received a report from the Huddle Group titled "Sports Tourism Strategic Plan and Facility Recommendations." Brown denied the existence of the report in response to a public records request I made. I now have a copy of this high-dollar report.
Here are the highlights of this 46-page report as they pertain to Bossier:
1.The consultant visited 16 local facilities, including the following in Bossier:
Bossier Civic Center
Bossier Parish Community College
Brookshire Grocery Arena
Louisiana Downs Racetrack
South Bossier Park.
2. The South Bossier Park was identified as one of three venues that can provide opportunities to expand sports tourism. The report stated that "While this facility is in a challenging physical location, data from the Sports Tourism Index shows that there are too few dedicated cross country course available to host cross country running events. A discussion around developing a permanent, high level, dedicated cross country course at the park could deliver positive results. Area high schools and the Louisiana High School Athletic Association should be consulted about this concept and what the venue would need to look like to lock in long-term event hosting commitments."
3. The report evaluated 37 Shreveport Bossier facilities and rated them on a scale of 1-5 and compared the ratings with the national average. Sixteen (16) of these were located in Bossier and Bossier Parish. All but one of these (Bossier Civic Center) scored higher than the national average.
4. Venue summary for Bossier Civic Center: Nice small venue with high ceilings used for cheer, dance, archery, weddings, etc. No bleacher, no basketball, 3 ample breakout rooms.
5. Venue summary for Bossier Parish Community College First class venue with baseball, softball, outstanding NCCA/NAIA/NJCAA compliant gymnasium used for the GCAC Volleyball Championships, 3 hotels close by to Louisiana Downs Racetrack.
6. Venue summary for First Bossier Church-Freedom Fields: 3 turf multipurpose 120X75 fields, very nice complex, can't use on Sunday mornings. Church's desire to use complex for noncompetitive sports (per website, "No scouts in stands").
7. Venue summary for Louisiana Downs Racetrack-Bossier City-Horse Racing: Racing takes place from January to September. Hot Air Balloon Festival is held here. Nice ballroom, breakout space, massive parking, could be used for more special events with creativity and planning.
8. Venue summary for Red River South Marina: Marina is located in a rural area, 2 lane road, 2 launch ramps. ample parking, pavilions, small cabins for rent. 100-150 truck and trailer parking slots. Close to gas station/truck stop. Needs lighting, Wi-Fi.
9. Venue summary for South Bossier Park: Used for local cross-country events. For attracting national events it will need the following improvements--lights, internet, drainage, updated field maintenance, parking.
Here is a link to a Settle Talk column on the Strengths and Weakness of Shreveport-Bossier for development of sports tourism:
https://john-settle.squarespace.com/settle-talk-blog/2024/12/4/shreveport-bossier-strengths-and-weaknesses-for-development-of-sports-tourism-destination