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Staff Memorandum <br />Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Funding Request <br />Name of Applicant: <br />Starfire Sports <br />Address: <br />14800 Starfire Wy <br />Tukwila, WA 98188 <br />Total Funds Requested: <br />$160,000 two-year funding request ($80,000 in 2025 and $80,000 in 2026) <br />About the Applicant: <br />Starfire Sports, a non-profit entity, has grown into one of the premier sports facilities in the <br />United States. Over 1.3 million people visited the facility in 2024 to take part in soccer, rugby, <br />and lacrosse tournaments; to play in outdoor and indoor soccer leagues; to engage in sport <br />specific training; to review professional sporting events; and for STEM educational courses. <br />Starfire is home training ground for the OL Reign and the Seattle Seawolves. <br />Opening in 2003, Starfire Sports has 12 outdoor fields and two indoor fields. The facility is <br />located at Fort Dent Park, which is owned by the City of Tukwila. Also located at the Park is a <br />small children's play area and trails that connect to the regional trail system. The City has <br />maintenance reasonability for the play area, trails, and parking area. <br />Starfire regular hosts multiday, weekend soccer, rugby, and lacrosse tournaments, which brings <br />in teams from throughout North America. Teams stay in hotels throughout the Seattle Southside <br />region, with a typical split of 70/30 between Tukwila and SeaTac hotels. Players and their <br />families can been seen throughout Tukwila, at Westfield Southcenter, the Family Fun Center, <br />and area restaurants. <br />Funds Previously Awarded: <br />$110,000 in 2023-2025. <br />Funding Request Narrative: <br />Starfire is requesting lodging tax funds in 2025/2026 to assist in promotion and facilitation of <br />leagues, events, and tournaments. The goal is to have 1,300,000 (not unique) total attendance <br />for Starfire related events and to generate 10,000 room nights in area lodging businesses. <br />Starfire will promote its events through email and online marketing, with regional sports <br />organizations and social media efforts. <br />Staff Comments: <br />After Westfield Southcenter, Starfire is the largest draw of visitors in the City and likely the <br />largest draw for overnight guests. Additionally, the tournaments and leagues at Starfire bring in <br />people from throughout the Puget Sound region on day visits to the City. Starfire visitor count <br />City of Tukwila <br />6200 Southcenter Blvd. <br />Tukwila, WA 98188 <br />11 <br />