Hotel Near Concord Mills Mall

Getting ready for baseball deluge

MOORESVILLE How does a town prepare for 1,400 young athletes and 3,500 of their family members from all 50 states, converging on it throughout spring, summer and fall?

"The biggest challenge will be to remain who we are," Mooresville business owner John Amon said. "Our town is going to grow by several thousand people a week, and we want to embrace them.... We want to greet them in the Southern-hospitality way."

Amon was part of a seven-member delegation from Mooresville who recently drove to Cooperstown, N.Y., to prepare for the expected opening next summer of America's Park.

The 25-field invitational youth baseball complex is planned for Rankin Hill Road between Mooresville and Troutman.

Officials expect at least 80,000 visitors from mid-March through mid-November each year for weeklong tournaments. Players will live in 60 cabins on site; their families are expected to book up to 100,000 room nights a year at local hotels.

The complex is being developed by three partners. They include Lou Presutti of Salisbury, who operates a smaller youth baseball complex in Cooperstown called Cooperstown Dreams Park.

Mooresville commissioner Mac Herring, another member of the delegation to Cooperstown, said America's Park will create opportunities for entrepreneurs.

He cited Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard near Cooperstown and its numerous events, and noted how a grocery store, a miniature golf course, restaurants and other businesses opened near Cooperstown Dreams Park.

America's Park can attract more businesses to downtown Mooresville, he said. Farmers can host activities to bring in more revenue.

Herring and Amon visited Cooperstown July 23-26 with local businessman Dave Sopp; Kim Atkins, executive director of the Mooresville Downtown Commission; town commissioner Mitch Abraham; Mooresville Fire Chief Wes Greene; and Jeff Brotherton, Mooresville's information/technology director.

Amon said one challenge will be making sure the state follows through on promised road improvements.

Another will be to ensure that visitors don't face suddenly higher prices, Amon and Herring said. That's not the town's way, they said..

"We're going to be the Disneyland of baseball," said Amon, who owns The Insurance Center on South Main Street with his father, Bob, and is treasurer of the downtown commission.

"They're going to remember this for the rest of their lives, and we want them to say, 'It was one of the greatest experiences we've had as a family.

Places to Stay Near Charlotte Motor Speedway | Blog About Crashing ...

Fans of the Charlotte Motor Speedway, formerly known as the Lowe's Motor Speedway, come from all over to see NASCAR races and other events. The NASCAR race track is located in Concord, North Carolina, and conveniently located about ten minutes off the I-85 interstate. Since most race events bring in well over 100,000 people, the big decision at race time is finding a place to stay near the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Some of these hotels and accommodations are highly sought after locations during Race Week.

One of the popular forms of lodging at the Speedway are the campgrounds that are right at the track. There are different spots available from standard campsites to infield campsites. The Tom Johnson Camping Center Racing Resort is another camping option and is within walking distance from the track. This resort has over four hundred sites for campers with showers and other facilities. There is a shuttle that can take fans from the campground sites to the race track.

This premier hotel is just a short distance to the Charlotte Motor Speedway and is close to another large tourist attraction, Concord Mills Mall. Guests who stay at the hotel have access to amenities including complimentary breakfast, laundry services, indoor pool and sundeck. The hotel also has a shuttle service that travels within four miles of the hotel. Race fans can eat at the Rocky River Grille or one of the many restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. The Embassy Suites Hotel also offers spa treatments, romance getaways and golf packages.

People who want to be at the speedway during the day but settle down at night in a slightly more intimate setting may prefer to stay at this Victorian bed and breakfast. The Franklin Street B&B is only twenty minutes away from the Charlotte Motor Speedway and owned by Lila and Troy Barnhardt. The original home was built in 1882 and renovated over the years. The Victorian home has hardwood floors, high ceilings and sunny inviting rooms with period antiques. Individuals who spend the night at the inn enjoy private baths, homemade breakfasts and evening snacks.

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