Danny Liedka is president and CEO of Visit Syracuse.
Central New York is experiencing steady economic growth from a variety of projects. Micron’s investment has drawn national attention, but local developments are also creating measurable results that will benefit our region for decades to come. Among these are two athletic complexes, the Superfield at Carrier Park in DeWitt and Hopkins Road Park in Liverpool, that together will generate more than $20 million in annual economic impact.
Sports tourism is one of the most consistent and reliable drivers of local spending. On average, families who travel for youth sports tournaments spend about $600 in the community on hotels, restaurants and activities. With new facilities capable of hosting larger tournaments and adaptive sports events, Central New York is well-positioned to welcome those families and the dollars they bring.
The Superfield at Carrier Park, scheduled to open in April 2026, will be the largest ADA-compliant athletic complex on the East Coast. It is projected to generate $10 million in annual economic impact and about $500,000 in new state and county sales and occupancy tax revenue. It will also give Syracuse Challenger Baseball, the largest Little League International special needs Challenger Division in the country, a permanent purpose-built home for its more than 250 athletes.
Hopkins Road Park in Liverpool is advancing with a two-phase plan totaling nearly $20 million. Phase One, which includes two superfields, is already underway and scheduled for completion in Fall 2026. Like Carrier Park, Hopkins Road is projected to create at least $10 million in annual economic impact once complete.
Both facilities are located in areas that maximize the benefit to the region. Carrier Circle has the largest concentration of hotel rooms in the county, with more than 2,200 rooms, including the DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Fairfield Inn & Suites, and Hilton Garden Inn. In Liverpool, hotels such as the Tru and Home2 Suites are well-suited to support visitors attending tournaments at Hopkins Road. Together, these areas can host the influx of teams, families and officials that accompany large-scale sporting events.
Combined, Carrier Park and Hopkins Road will support more than 120 local jobs across field operations, hotels, restaurants and other related businesses. They will also strengthen the region’s ability to host events such as NJCAA championships and Special Olympics competitions. These events bring recurring visitors, new revenue for small businesses and measurable community impact.
At Visit Syracuse, we see these projects as a way to build on the region’s strengths while creating new opportunities. They will diversify our economy, expand access to sports for athletes of all abilities, and highlight Central New York as a welcoming destination for visitors.
The Superfield at Carrier Park and Hopkins Road Park represent a clear investment in Central New York’s future. They will drive economic growth, expand access for athletes of all abilities, and strengthen our ability to host major events. Just as importantly, they will give young people and families a place to have fun, play on a team, and be part of something bigger than themselves. These benefits depend on broad community support. Now is the time for our community to come together and ensure these facilities are completed and embraced as important cornerstones of our region’s economy and identity for years to come.