Three counties consider regional recreational district

In the future, the Lake of the Ozarks region hopes to be able to compete with Springfield, Kansas City and St. Louis for exhibits, special events and sports tournaments. That vision is moving closer to becoming a reality after new legislation passed in March that allows the formation of regional recreational districts to establish, operate and maintain recreational facilities.

According to Joel Pottinger, executive director of Greater Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitors Bureau, the legislation allows interested counties in the state to work together on recreational projects. Camden, Miller and Morgan counties will be among the first to take advantage of the opportunity. The counties will likely put the issue before voters in February, said Camden County Presiding Commissioner Carolyn Loraine.

Voters will be asked to approve a quarter-cent sales tax, which is 25 cents to every $100 spent in the district, to pay for the project. The vote will be taken by precincts in the recreational district area, where the tax will be collected. The tax is predicted to raise around $2 million, which would make the counties eligible for $18 million to $20 million in bonds.

If the tax is passed by voters, the board of trustees will begin planning the location, size, priorities and goals of the project.

“Once that is in place, we can apply for federal grants,” Pottinger said. “We already have shopping, golf and the lake itself to draw people here. When it’s complete, we will be able to compete with larger cities.”

Preliminary plans call for an exhibition center as large as 100,000 square feet, 10 to 12 soccer fields and eight to 12 softball/baseball diamonds.

“It should generate tens of millions of dollars on an annual basis,” Pottinger said.

Loraine added that if the measure is approved, it will benefit all three participating counties.

“According to the bill, all three counties will have four board members who will decide the location of the exhibition center,” she said. “If it passes in only two counties, those two will be responsible for the planning and sales tax will be collected in those counties. If it passes in one county, it will be enough to go forward.”

Loraine said in the original proposal, the exhibition center offers no food service. The counties hope to be able to attract car shows and other events that might otherwise go to larger cities. The development also will boost tourism during the lake’s off-season.

“Also we’ll have a section for the arts guild for performances,” Loraine said. “The sporting fields will draw children’s sports events, soccer and softball. The fields will not necessarily be at the same place as the exhibition center. It will be a boost to our economy and it will benefit the whole area. With its central location, we can draw people from all three counties.”

Jim Divincen, administrator of Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the area that will benefit from the development comprises the 92-mile drive around the lake, which includes the three counties and 16 small communities.

“Short of a Six Flags or a Silver Dollar City, this is the single greatest opportunity for this area to grow in tourism, “he said.

Pottinger said that the only nearby facility that has been used for exhibit space is the former Columbia Community College facility, a 100,000-square-foot building that has been purchased by a developer.

There are smaller options for events, including Tan-Tar-A and Lodge of the Four Seasons, holding 20,000 square feet to 35,000 square feet of exhibit space. There is nothing within the 80,000- to 100,000-square-foot range, he said.