McMinnville Tourism Development Board members approved sports tourism, but declined a mural. 

“I’m not against murals, but I think we’re good at this time,” said Tourism Development Board member Christy Ross. 

That sentiment was shared by the other members, vocally and by head nods, as they declined an offer from Virginia artist Cheyenne Marcus to paint a wall in McMinnville. She intends to complete 50 murals in 50 states and McMinnville would have been the location of Tennessee’s mural. The cost was unknown.

Members did approve $750 for membership into Play Tennessee, an online marketing website that strives to connect sporting events with available venues. That amount covers a one-year membership on the website. 

Sports marketing would predominately center on amenities at Milner Recreation Center. 

“It was interesting to hear from them and their perspective on the conference they want folks to attend,” said McMinnville Parks and Recreation director Justin Scott. “You basically sell McMinnville. You go to the conference and sell us. What’s McMinnville going to give and what can we offer to bring people to McMinnville.”

Scott says he contacted Kingsport, which is a member of Play Tennessee. “Kingsport started with six events. I think he said they are now at 17 major events. They’ll bring in basketball courts and put them in their convention center and have four courts going at the same time of college basketball. People want to come to them and let them host.”

Play Tennessee isn’t required to make the Milner Center a success, says Scott.

“Obviously, we have a great facility in the Milner Center. You don’t have to have Play Tennessee to make it successful, but you have to have the right people within your community that have that kind of outreach. I have been approached by Jim Carden about having AAU basketball tournaments at the Milner Center. Maybe reaching out to coach Matt Turner about bringing wrestling tournaments to the Milner Center. We have the fields. We have soccer fields and baseball fields.” 

While TDB members designated $750 for membership to place McMinnville on Play Tennessee’s website, no funding was allocated for conference attendance. 

“The $750 gets us on the website, but what’s important is going to the conference,” said TDB administrator Dayron Deaton-Owens. “That’s where you’ll make contacts. You go in and you sell McMinnville. An individual may come in and say ‘I went to do a disc golf tournament’ and you’re there to tell them why they should have it here. Going to the conference is really, really important.”