PHOTO #1: The Texas Amateur Athletic Federation has chosen Victoria to host the 2022-2024 TAAF Winter Games.
PHOTO #2: The City of Victoria Youth Sports Complex was proposed as a venue for fastpitch softball, baseball and kickball for the TAAF Winter Games.
PHOTO #3: The VISD Aquatics Center was proposed as a venue for swimming for the TAAF Winter Games.
The City of Victoria has been chosen to host the annual Texas Amateur Athletic Federation TAAF Winter Games for a three-year period from 2022 to 2024.
“Being able to host an event like this is huge,” said Parks & Recreation Director Jason Alfaro. “Not only will it bring athletes from around the state, but it sends a message to event organizers that we’re here and we’re open to hosting these types of events.”
The TAAF Winter Games is hosted during a three-day period in February and brings together amateur athletes from around the state to compete in a wide variety of athletic events. Events vary from year to year but can include baseball, softball, football, gymnastics, pickleball and swimming.
In addition to raising Victoria’s profile, the event is expected to provide a sizeable economic impact by drawing visitors to Victoria. Cities that have hosted the TAAF Winter Games historically see an economic impact of roughly $1 million during the three-day event compared to about $30,000-$40,000 in expenditures.
Parks & Recreation collaborated with the City of Victoria Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Victoria Independent School District to provide information to TAAF about Victoria’s capacity to host athletic events and accommodate overnight visitors. The City’s bid package identified a total of 16 sports that could be hosted at City and VISD facilities.
Increasing sports tourism was identified in the 2035 Comprehensive Plan as a viable way to bring overnight visitors to Victoria. Parks & Recreation will continue to seek out and apply to host events that are a good fit for Victoria.
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