As the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center passes its two-year anniversary, the Rock Hill community has experienced a large financial impact.
The construction of the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center building began in 2017 and ended in December 2019.
“The idea started many years ago, but no one is quite sure when exactly the thought came about. It was the vision of our former Mayor Doug Echols, the City Council, City Management, and the Rock Hill Parks Recreation and tourism senior leadership team that really brought the idea to reality,” said Sports and Event Center Superintendent Brian Jones.
The major contributors to the vision and opening of the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center were the City Council and City Management. Other contributors were the architect McMillan Pazdan Smith and the construction company J.M. Cope.
“Without their leadership and guidance, the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center would have never happened,” Jones said.
There are numerous areas for events to be held within the facility, such as a championship court, a main court, a walking track, a multi-purpose room, and multiple concession stands and locker rooms.
There are various events that happen in the event center throughout the week.
Some of the larger events that are held in the event center include volleyball, basketball, corn hole, gymnastics and boxing. The center has also hosted political rallies, company Christmas parties and job fairs.
“The event organizer schedules teams, and they would likely have run over 100 games and events that weekend at the facility,” said Laurie Helms, the marketing supervisor of the City of Rock Hill’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department.
In December 2021, the Winthrop men’s basketball team played Carver College in the No Room for Racism Classic hosted at the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center. In addition to participating in the No Room for Racism event, the Winthrop basketball teams have practiced on the championship court.
“The community reaction was very positive with many coming out to support their hometown team,” Jones said of the No Room for Racism Classic.
As more and more people travel to Rock Hill to utilize the center’s courts, the city has experienced a great financial impact.
“In 2020, the facility had a $30.4 million economic impact, and in 2021, it rose to $34.4 million,” Jones said.
The economic impact comes from the buying of materials and other spending from those coming to Rock Hill for events.
“All of these events are set up in a stay and play format. Meaning they play for a minimum of two days, causing them to stay in our community for at least one night. Families and participants have been staying in hotels, eating out at restaurants, shopping, and buying gas in the Rock Hill community, which has a direct economic impact on our area,” Jones said.
While the center is used for large events, the facility is also open to the public. A track is available for walking and running, and there is an open gym that is available to the public.
A small fee is required for the use of the open gym, which can be paid daily or purchased as a yearly membership. Information on times for the availability of the facility can be found on the City of Rock Hill’s website.
