By NICHOLAS CHARALAMBOUS
Anderson Independent-Mail
February 2, 2005

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has picked the Anderson Sports and Entertainment Center for the state’s top award for tourism promotion.

The governor will present the Governor’s Cup to Anderson County at a luncheon today in Myrtle Beach. The annual award from the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism goes to an organization that demonstrated a significant tourism-related economic impact on the state and local community.

In 2004 alone, the sports and entertainment center held more than 300 special events and drew an estimated 700,000 visitors, creating an economic impact estimated at $18.3 million, according to the county’s application.

"ASEC has an undeniable positive impact on our community," said Anderson County Administrator Joey Preston, who is leading a county delegation to the ceremony. "The events happening at ASEC are improving quality of life here."

The 337-acre sports and entertainment center opened in 1999 when the county added five softball and baseball fields, three soccer fields, eight lighted tennis courts and the 13,000-seat William A. Floyd Amphitheater to the existing Civic Center of Anderson, located on the site of the old county farm.

Hailed from the beginning as a boon to Anderson County’s identity and quality of life, the complex has held Freedom Weekend Aloft, the U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championships, the Special Olympics South Carolina fall games, dozens of rock, country and gospel concerts, community events and countless baseball tournaments.

"You always knew Anderson County had something special with the sports and entertainment center but, when you can get other people to realize it and acclaim it as something wonderful in your hometown, it’s special," County Council Chairwoman Gracie Floyd said.

Won at the county’s first attempt, the award is the first to go to an Upstate facility since 1994, when the Palmetto Expo Center in Greenville was recognized.

"To win straight out of the chute was a big surprise," sports and entertainment center director Charles Wyatt said.

County officials hope the award could help the county appeal to new events, and help generate political will to accomplish future improvements, such as adding ball fields to ease overcrowding and expanding the 37,000 square feet of convention space.

County officials have no immediate plans for capital spending at the facility.

But Lee Luff, president of the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce, said the business community might support further investment, especially with the recent addition of the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"As the community grows, we need to invest in the future," he said.

RECENT GOVERNOR’S CUP WINNERS: 2004: The Newberry Opera House Foundation 2003: Charleston Area Convention Center Complex 2002: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden 2001: Springdale Race Course 2000: Paramount Carowinds 1999: Ripley’s Aquarium 1998: Southern Wildlife Exposition 1997: Broadway at the Beach 1996: Myrtle Beach Convention Center 1995: Golf Magazine Senior Tour Championship 1994: Palmetto Expo Center 1993: Calvin Gilmore Productions 1992: Charleston Trident CVB’s Visitor’s Center 1991: Sumter CVB

Nicholas Charalambous can be reached at (864) 260-1256 or by e-mail at charalambousnc@IndependentMail.com.

Copyright 2005, Anderson Independent Mail. All Rights Reserved.