to Seattle’s urban population. “We definitely have seen an influx of outdoor recreation tourism, ,” Gloria notes. “We’re trying to figure out how to manage it by not overburdening certain prime locations and making sure that they’re clean and accessible for the first person and the last person.” Sports tourism represents a deliberate expansion area, with the city investing lodging tax revenue in dedicated staff and facility improvements.“About two years ago, we invested in a position specifically for sports tourism and bringing in those tournaments,” Gloria says.“We already have established events, but continuing to grow that sector is key to diversifying our economy so we have to plan for investing and expanding our facilities.” The four-season recreation opportunities, from skiing at Mission Ridge to Columbia River access, provide year-round tourism potential while supporting local hospitality businesses. VISION FOR THE FUTURE Small cities often struggle to balance growth with livability, either stagnating from lack of investment 233 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 08 WENATCHEE, WA VOLUME 4, ISSUE 01
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx