Tournaments are big business for city, rec director says

Tournaments at the Eunice Recreation Complex have an economic impact of up to $300,000, George Schneider, Eunice city recreation director, said.
“You are talking about a significant amount of revenue we generate here not only in Eunice but in the parish,” Schneider said Thursday at a Eunice Kiwanis Club meeting.
People attending a tournament generate from $35 to $50 each in spending, he said.
Schneider said the feedback from visitors is positive, but the softball and baseball tournaments had to be wooed back to the city’s recreation complex.
Former mayor Claud “Rusty” Moody hired him as recreation director and was supportive of the department’s efforts, he said.
“Mayor Moody was a very big supporter of the recreation department and he always had our kids first and foremost at the top of his list,” he said.
The transition to interim Mayor Scott Fontenot has been a smooth one, he said.
The tournament business slows down during the fall, he said, but it does continue.
“They love our food. They love the Liberty Theatre on Saturday nights. Food always comes up to the top of the list,” he said.
The recreation department does more than tournaments, he said.
A tackle football league, which ends in three weeks, had 150 players registered in nine teams in three age groups.
Flag football engaged about 70 youths.
From 120 to 160 youths are expected to participate in a basketball program.
The recreation department’s other programs include baseball, softball, soccer and tennis.
From 825 to 925 youths participate in the baseball and softball programs.
Schneider said his wish list includes a multi-purpose building with a small basketball court, two more tennis courts, new fencing at Circle Park, a second entrance to the recreation complex and five to 10 recreational vehicle parking spots at the recreation complex.
Recent improvements include adding six basketball goals at the Northwest Community Center, lighting and netting repairs at the tennis complex and cleanup at several parks, he said.