Community scores sports grant

That status has again been recognized by the state government. For the third year in a row, the Iowa Tourism Office has named Visit Fort Dodge as a Regional Sports Authority District. Along with that designation, Visit Fort Dodge received a $70,000 grant to support sporting events that bring people into the city.

That money will support 18 events which Kerrie Kuiper, the executive director of Visit Fort Dodge, said will “bring revenue to our local businesses and increase statewide awareness of our area.”

“This awareness of the Fort Dodge community is a vital opportunity which could lead to more business growth and future tourism opportunities,” she said.

The $70,000 is for events taking place between July 1 and June 30, 2025. It can be used to pay for venue rentals, equipment rentals, hiring referees or other officials, or any other service needed to host a sporting event.

-Messenger file photo

The Iowa Girls High School State Softball Tournament typically brings about $1 million of economic impact to Fort Dodge. Visit Fort Dodge received a $70,000 grant to support sporting events that bring people into the city and to hotels like the Best Western Starlite Village Inn and Suites.

The previous Regional Sports Authority District grant was used to support 14 events, according to Kuiper.

The organizers of those events provided a total of $149,000 in matching funds, she said.

“One of the main factors contributing to Visit Fort Dodge’s successful designation is the community’s ability to recruit and develop new amateur sporting events by our partners,” Kuiper said. “A great example of this grant’s success can be seen in the Iron Sharpens Iron team wrestling camp that first came to Fort Dodge in June of 2023.”

She said the first year it was held, 700 wrestlers attended. This year’s version brought in about 1,200 wrestlers and even more are expected next year, she added.

“The spending that occurs during that event at our hotels, restaurants, attractions, stores and gas stations has a big impact on our local economy,” she said.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla

The main concourse area between the fields is shown at the Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex, home of the state softball tournament since 1970.

A seven member local board manages the Regional Sports Authority program. In addition to Kuiper it includes City Council members David Flattery, Quennel McCaleb and Lydia Schuur; Kevin Twait, athletic director at Iowa Central Community College; City Manager David Fierke; and Hannah Angstrom, the city’s assistant recreation director.

-Messenger file photo

An aerial view of Fort Dodge’s Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex from 2015 is shown.