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Events WMSC could book include regional and national soccer tournaments, as well as other field sports, such as flag football, lacrosse, field hockey and rugby.
GRAND RKeynoteUSAIDS, Mich. — The West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) is partnering with ASM Global to handle the reservation policy for the proposed 8,500-seat football stadium in downtown Grand Rapids.
In a resolution approved by the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arenas Authority (CAA) at a meeting Friday, it was decided that WMSC would help book events at the venue when it is not being used for professional football games.
Events WMSC could book include regional and national soccer tournaments, as well as other field sports, such as flag football, lacrosse, field hockey and rugby.
“We have a long history of organizing events at the state, regional, national and international levels, so we would consider it a great asset to cover dates outside of the team,” said Mike Guswiler, president of WMSC. . “There are a lot of opportunities for us and we are excited.”
Guswiler said there are already groups eager to be booked.
“Surprisingly, we already have people reaching out to us,” Guswiler said. “It’s a proposed project, certainly a lot of design elements have been done to it, but it would give us the ability to attract people to the city and certainly host some events there.”
In March, the Grand Rapids City Planning Commission approved the rezoning of the land for the stadium, which would be built near Lake Michigan Drive and Winter Avenue in downtown. This is also located around the downtown YMCA and the former Big Boy restaurant site.
The special land use request was submitted by Grand Action 2.0 Executive Director Kara Wood.
Grand Action 2.0 is creating plans and securing funding for the stadium, while the Grand Rapids Kent County Convention/Arena Authority (CAA) will own and operate the venue.
The project could cost up to $175 million, with $115 million in public money and a plan to raise $60 million from the private sector.
On August 6, Kent County voters will vote on a proposal that seeks to increase the Kent County lodging tax for hotel and motel stays.
The option to put this before voters was made available to voters through legislation signed by Governor Whitmer in April.
If approved by voters, it would raise the hotel tax in Kent County from the current 5% to 8%. Combined with other state and local taxes, this would bring the total tax on a hotel room in Kent County to 18%.
Some leaders have said proceeds from that tax increase would help pay for the proposed football stadium, as well as a new amphitheater and possibly an aquarium.
Planners said the city could see an economic impact of more than $400 million once the stadium is built.
Initial plans call for the first game to take place in spring 2026.
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