Professional sports facilities have long been discussed as economic drivers.   The drive to incorporate these facilities as anchors to catalyze economic development has recently diversified to include minor league, amateur, and community athletic facilities as anchors for growth.  The boom is more than just tourism but community benefit as well.  Looking around the Charlotte region, we are seeing Rock Hill thrive around Knowledge Park, the former Eastland Mall redevelopment partnering with Charlotte FC to bring their Elite Academy facilities to the east side, and the Fuse District in Gastonia evolving to an entertainment district.  Are health, fitness, and sports bridging the gap to go beyond economic impact and driving demand for greater community amenities and other related complementary uses?

• Skip Tuttle, The Tuttle Company
• Tim Sittema, Crosland Southeast
• Patrick T. Mumford, Greater Gaston Development Corporation (moderator)