Prospecting Prince George's

Terry spent a lot of time in Prince George’s (not nice to say PG) County panning for gold this past week. Prince George’s is home to some of the most outstanding venues in the state, including the largest capacity stadium in the NFL (Fed-Ex Field) with its adjoining youth sports and learning complex, and the many first rate Terp facilities in College Park.

Terry was touting these visitor magnets when he addressed county tourism leaders at their annual meeting last week. He also had the opportunity to spend time with top athletic department officials about using the Maryland campus for more outside activities.

(Pause for a shoutout to the Maryland Stadium
Authority who built the gorgeous Comcast Center in 2002)

One of the most versatile facilities in the county is the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro. Primarily an equestrian center, Show Place is used for many entertainment events and concerts. March 10-13 it will host the Colonial Athletic Association’s Women’s Basketball Championship. With 12 teams from all over the East Coast in the league, the tournament should attract thousands of fans over four days. It is slated to return in 2012.

In 2010, the Show Place hosted a similar tournament for the Atlantic-10 Women and, in the past, the Division I Patriot League.

A big part of the appeal is that Show Place is a neutral site – about the same size as most of the league arenas, convenient but not too close to any particular school.

Prince George’s County is also one of the jurisdictions most interested in being the site of a future Maryland Horse Park. The Prince George’s County Equestrian Center (Show Place Arena) has been the center of activity for the performance horse industry for some time. It hosts over one hundred local, regional and national equine shows annually and is nationally renowned as a major horse show facility.

In a 2010 study, advocates cited their existing center, the old Upper Marlboro race track, and the beautiful 982 acre Rosaryville State Park, home of the annual Marlborough Horse Trials, as existing features to be incorporated into the plan.

So as the Horse Park dream slowly unfolds, know that Prince George’s plans to be a serious contender in the hunt. For that matter, Prince George's County has to be at the top of any list when considering Maryland as a sports event.  With all the facilities, convenient access, and accommodations like the new National Harbor and Gaylord Resort, Prince George's has the bases covered.

All this, and the 2011 Army-Navy game in December!!!