The Hidden Gem of Florida: Play Treasure Coast
About Play Treasure Coast
The Treasure Coast is a true Florida gem, tucked along the Atlantic Coast with endless beaches, cultural hotspots, and quaint cities to explore. Rick Hatcher, President/CEO of Play Treasure Coast Florida, highlights the amazing partnerships with county tourism partners, venue operators, and the hospitality industry, that leads to the perfect line-up to support over 30 different sport types who visit the Treasure Coast every year. With the addition of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame, we feel we have the complete package for teams, parents, and families to enjoy and experience Florida.
Just two hours from Orlando and Miami, the Treasure Coast is easily accessible from major cities while maintaining a quaint, community feel. Play Treasure Coast Florida, formerly the Treasure Coast Sports Commission, is one of only two regional commissions in the state and is striving to enhance the quality of life through sports tourism for Indian River, St Lucie and Martin Counties. The region hosts eighty events each year for a variety of sports, with a multitude of outdoor venues for players and spectators to soak in the warm weather.
A true testament to the commitment of Play Treasure Coast Florida, Brian Huether, Owner GameOn Race Events, has nothing but positive remarks about his experience in Treasure Coast. “Willie and I would like to personally thank the Treasure Coast Sports Commission for everything you did to make the Treasure Coast Triathlon a reality. It is a pleasure to work with a team that truly cares about the success of your event and will go above and beyond to make sure it happens. I am not sure how many other Sports Commissions are out at events to help set up bike racks, but I am guessing not too many. The weather was beautiful, the venue was great and social media is buzzing with all the positive comments!” says Huether.
Featured Venues
The Mid-Florida Event Center: The Florida Sports Hall of Fame Site
The Mid-Florida Event Center is a full-service venue, hosting banquets, meetings, conferences, trainings, expos, trade shows, concerts, fundraisers, festivals, sporting events and more. The event center was built to stand as a community gathering point, sports tourism hub, and top-notch indoor facility with an attached conference center. With the Hall of Fame in town for the next decade, the venue will be a must-see stop for tourists and locals alike.
Photo from @MIDFLORIDAEventCenter Facebook
Clover Park: The Florida Spring Training Home of the New York Mets
The city of Port St. Lucie is also home to the New York Mets Spring Training in Clover Park. The park is a huge attraction for the city and can seat 7,000 fans for games or concerts. The Mets’ spring training takes place in February and March, and you can find the St. Lucie Mets Minor League Team playing here from April through September. Check out the park during your visit to Port St. Lucie, a beautiful destination close to pristine beaches and the PGA Village.
Signature Events In 2021
For the next decade, Play Treasure Coast Florida has a unique opportunity to host the Florida Sports Hall of Fame. Set to open in March 2021 in Port St. Lucie’s Mid-Florida Event Center, the Hall of Fame will be a major attraction for the region. Attracting tens of thousands of visitors annually, the Florida Sports Hall of Fame is an immersive look at some of the largest names in sports history and their legacy, with 55 memorabilia exhibits featuring apparel, trophies, and equipment. Its 2020 Induction Class highlights icons including Tiger Woods, Alex Rodriguez, and Pat Riley and spans six different sports. The Hall of Fame will be free to the public and will utilize 1,800 sq ft in the Mid-Florida Event Center. This June, the Florida Sports Hall of Fame is set to host a Celebrity Golf Tournament at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie. For more information on the Florida Sports Hall of Fame, visit their website!
As you gear up for spring and summer, there is no shortage of sports events in the Treasure Coast region. Check out this list of what’s to come in 2021—
Southern Kingfish Association (SKA) National Championship: April 14-17, 2021
National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Swimming and Diving National Championship: April 28 – May 1, 2021
PGA Professionals Championship: April 25-28, 2021
Babe Ruth Softball World Series: July 18-August 4, 2021
Cal Ripken Baseball Invitational: July 28-August 5, 2021
For more information on Play Treasure Coast Florida and their array of facilities, or to reach out with questions, head to their Playeasy profile!
