Rapid City is diving into the world of youth sports with a new athletic facility expected to draw tournaments and young athletes from far and wide. Rapid City is hoping to tap into the billions of dollars sloshing around in the world of youth sports.
There’s travel baseball. Travel basketball. Travel soccer. Travel volleyball. Travel this, that and even cheerleading. It’s all part of a $40 billion annual industry, according to the Aspen Institute, a group that advocates for responsible youth recreation.
Some might scoff at the industry. And while this former participant acknowledges some of its shortcomings, it’s better to watch your kid on the playing field than listen to him playing video games in the basement. Plus, there’s the benefit of eating barbeque in Kansas City.
