Washington County's economy gets boost thanks to visitors from colder climates


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ST. GEORGE — Washington County's economy is getting a boost this weekend thanks to thousands of youth athletes and their families who are in town for early season soccer and baseball tournaments.

"It just really is the kick-off to our spring season," said Kevin Lewis, director of the St. George Sports Commission. "There's no question that St. George has put itself on the map as a destination for year-round sports."

In addition to enjoying the warm temperatures and sunny skies, the visitors also spend money at local hotels, restaurants and retail shops. A conservative estimate of the economic infusion provided by the tournaments is $6 million, according to Lewis.

The economic impact is calculated by assuming that each of the approximately 7,500 players is accompanied by two additional people. But coaches and tournament directors say the economic benefit could actually be much higher because many players also bring along siblings and other relatives.

The more than 450 youth teams bring "a massive economic impact and a huge amount of energy to the community," Lewis said.

The main tournaments in town include the Ice Breaker Soccer Tournament with 199 teams consisting of more than 3,700 players; the Rage Soccer Tournament with 135 teams and nearly 2,000 players; and the Rocky Mountain School of Baseball's Presidents Day Tournament with approximately 1,800 athletes.

For many youth athletes from Idaho and northern Utah, the fields in Hurricane, St. George and Washington City offer the first outdoor playing setting in months.

"This gives the kids an opportunity to really get out there and run at full speed," said Paul Miravete, director of the Rage Soccer Tournament.

Besides watching his daughter play in the soccer tournament, Sandy resident John Curtis said the trip to St. George was a great excuse to explore Zion National Park and the other outdoor recreation sites in the area.

"And get away from the inversion that's going on right now in Salt Lake," he added.

The Presidents Day weekend also marks the start of the popular St. George Area Parade of Homes, which is also expected to attract large crowds.

"It's absolutely gorgeous down here," said Draper resident Tami Cutler. "We just needed to get out of the soup, so we came on down and we got exactly what we wanted."

In nearby Mesquite, Nevada, which is still part of the Utah Youth Soccer Association's territory, an additional 88 teams are playing this weekend in the association's Presidents Cup Tournament — which is so large that it is spread out over three separate weekends to accommodate more than 400 participating teams.

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