The city of Spanish Fort, local business and the Spanish Fort Sports Association (SFSA) are missing out on significant revenue and economic benefits associated with weekend tournaments at Spirit Park.  Nearly every other park in Baldwin County and the rest of the state embraces these type activities and understand that tournament promoters need make money to bring these events to their parks.  The city of Daphne estimated between $2.5 and $3 million in economic impact due to tournaments and has plans to build an additional sports complex.  The cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have a sports tourism department and estimated more than $20 million in economic impact per year.  The city of Foley is spending $16 million to build a sport complex and is advertising it across the southeast.

The direct cash inflows to their youth sports programs from concessions or other revenue sharing arrangements allow them to keep fees low for rec programs and fund their local team in outside tournaments while purchasing and maintaining equipment. A weekend tournament will normally consist of 10 to 30 teams which translates into 300 to 1000 people spending one or two days, shopping, eating and some staying in hotels in the local area.

Most cities have employees that work with tournament promoters and have city workers present at tournaments to maintain fields.  SFSA is will take on this responsibility so tournaments will not cost the city any additional payroll or manpower and will keep the city fully informed of all activates scheduled at the park through the city parks department or other designee as directed.