Delaware North-owned-and-operated Southland Casino Racing in West Memphis, Ark., has long been known for its contributions to the community.
Last week, a referendum was approved for a $12 million renovation project for the city’s parks – fully funded from tax revenue generated by Southland Casino Racing, at no cost to taxpayers.
Below is an excerpt from the Memphis Business Journal about the park project.
The biggest part of the new project will transform Tilden Rogers Park. The expanded complex will include:
- 12 new baseball/softball fields with artificial turf and dugouts; six sand volleyball courts; four soccer fields
- New concession facilities and restrooms
- Two miles of exercise trails
- Additional parking and spaces for buses
- Dog park
- Connector and walk bridge for fishing and paddle boats
West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon said his hope is that Tilden Rogers Park becomes a premier youth sports complex in the Mid-South able to attract a lot of visitors to boost the local economy.
“This will help to bring more tournaments to West Memphis,” McClendon said. “When they stay here, they’re going to be spending money here and even those tax revenues are going to go to other things in the city that we need to enhance.”
The funds will also pay for new splash pads at Worthington Park and Franklin Park, as well as kickball fields at Franklin, and the first community swimming pool in West Memphis in almost 40 years. Hightower Park will get a new amphitheater and pavilions along with a basketball court, while Rowe Park will have a new basketball court. All the city parks will have new playgrounds.
City officials said the amenities are designed to provide the citizens of West Memphis with a vibrant, family-oriented environment that encourages participation in athletics and enhances the quality of life in the area while also attracting a more viable workforce that can support the current and future businesses and industries looking to relocate to West Memphis.