SUMTER, S.C. — The City of Sumter is taking major steps to upgrade one of its most popular athletic facilities, moving forward with a multi-million-dollar renovation project at the Bobby Richardson Sports Complex.

Officials say the project will not only modernize the complex but also boost the city’s economy and increase year-round usability.

“Sports tourism is Sumter’s number [one] economic development driver and each tournament that we bring in here currently has an economic impact of $1 million dollars per tournament,” said Shelley Hartley, the city’s communications and tourism director.

City Council recently approved a $1.2 million contract with landscape architecture firm Fit Fields to design the upcoming renovations. Plans include:

Synthetic turf baseball and softball fields

New

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