In 2023, the DuPage County Board tasked Choose DuPage, the County’s economic development organization, with the management of a market analysis, economic impact, and feasibility study for two separate projects, Performing Arts and Sports Tourism.
Last July, Choose DuPage issued requests for proposals from contractors to provide services related to planning tasks and technical assistance for these studies. Webb Mgmt. was selected along with partners Wight & Co. and Schuler Shook to conduct the Performing Arts study, while Johnson Consulting was selected for the Sports Complex. The results of both are below.
Feasibility Study for New Performing Arts Facilities in DuPage County, IL
Webb Mgmt. and partners conducted a needs assessment, which included interviews with stakeholders, along with qualitative and quantitative research into the performing arts market in DuPage and the region.
The results of the study showed that DuPage County has a large population with the propensity to participate in live arts and entertainment programs. The strongest market opportunities are for active arts programs and less formal outdoor performances and events.
There is a large set of indoor, outdoor, and active arts spaces in DuPage County, such that new facilities must be carefully designed and positioned so as to compete for audiences and programs.
New opportunities for active arts participation could support current and emerging goals of DuPage County leadership around economic and community development.
The following concepts for consideration were made as a result of the study:
- Improving outdoor live arts and entertainment facilities
- A new outdoor gathering and celebration location adjacent to the Government Campus
- One or more regional arts education programs and facilities
View the full study and read more about the recommendations.
Feasibility Study for Sports Complex in DuPage County, IL
The objective of this study was to determine the market demand opportunity for sports tourism-oriented complex(s) capable of hosting large regional/national events within DuPage County, in order to increase economic impact within DuPage County through an increase in visitor spending.
The study found that market demand opportunities for both indoor as well as outdoor are strong within DuPage County. In particular for a multipurpose indoor complex as well as a baseball/softball-oriented complex for outdoor programming.
The recommendation from Johnson Consulting was that a multipurpose indoor sports complex could best meet the objective. There are two main driving factors for this recommendation, the first is the scarcity of large plots of land available to execute a sizable sports tourism outdoor sports complex (at least, 80+ acres needed). The second factor is the inclement weather and limitation on year-round usage that make an outdoor sports tourism venue less impactful than a year-round indoor venue has the opportunity to provide.