New & Renovated Sports Venues
Building A Competitive Advantage
By Michelle Martin
“Communities are known by their facilities to host sports events, and by the quality and quantity of such facilities,” said Marc Bush, president of Greensboro (N.C.) Sports Commission. “If you’re competing for youth and amateur sports events, as Greensboro Sports Commission is, you’ve got to have the fields—and the more you have, the more competitive you will be.”
Bush’s comments underscore one of the most critical elements of hosting sports events today: the demand of ample and adequate venues. More and more, tourism, recreation and city officials, as well as private investors, are building new facilities or renovating, expanding or otherwise enhancing existing facilities to keep up with demand and to remain competitive as a sports destination.
In Greensboro, the addition of Proehlific Park—a multi-sport complex that includes three basketball/volleyball courts, a 70-yard Field Turf surface and seven batting cages indoors, and three baseball/softball fields and three multi-sport fields outdoors—has enabled the community to host more events and has given the community a higher profile nationally that will help secure future events, Bush said. In 2009, Proehlific Park will host an age-group world series for Nation’s Baseball, a newly formed youth baseball organization, and the Greensboro Sports Commission has bid on the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Baseball Championships. The ACC championships would be held at Newbridge Bank Park, a 9,000-seat venue in downtown Greensboro; practice, training and workouts would be at Proehlific Park. “We have good high school facilities,” Bush said, “but Proehlific Park has state-of-the-art facilities and is higher profile. Those little nuances can make a big difference.”
Similarly, Lisa Lawton, director of community relations for the Convention and Visitors Association of Lane County, Oregon (CVALCO), believes the renovations and new additions to Hayward Field at the University of Oregon-Eugene “have brought the facility—often called the Carnegie Hall of track and field—to an unprecedented level as a track and field destination.”
The $8 million renovations to Hayward Field were in preparation of the 2008 USA Track & Field Olympic Trials, June 27-July 6, but also were a commitment to re-establish Eugene as “Track Town USA,” she said. “The investment is paying off in the community hosting major national events like the Olympic Trials and in the economic impact these events generate. The 2008 USA Track & Field Olympic Trials alone generated an economic impact of $28 million.”
A new video scoreboard, a resurfaced track that earned Class 1 certification by the International Association of Athletics Federation, a resurfaced and reconfigured grass infield, a new hammer throw venue and new dual event stations for the high jump and shot put are part of the new and renovated features at Hayward Field. “All the improvements have enhanced the athletes’ experience to create the best environment for athletes to compete,” Lawton said, noting that CVALCO works with the University of Oregon-Eugene on eight track and field events held at Hayward Field. “It’s critical to partner with the university because many of the nation’s major sports venues are on university campuses. Collectively the community wins when it’s able to partner together and successfully host major sports events. It’s an advantage to the university and host community’s reputations.”
A growing trend in both new and renovated sports venues is the use of synthetic turf fields. Six natural-grass soccer fields at Olympic Park in Schaumburg, Ill., for example, were converted to synthetic turf in August. Jean Schlinkmann, executive director for the Schaumburg Park District, said the synthetic fields provide more playing time over natural fields that have to rest in the summer. “Synthetic turf offers six times more playability, so we are able to accommodate more soccer leagues, teams and events.” In addition, the synthetic turf doesn’t hold water like natural grass, so fewer games are lost due to rain, she said, noting that not a single game was lost when the area received 10 inches of rainfall during a weekend soccer tournament.
In addition to its six synthetic turf soccer fields, Olympic Park has four natural-grass fields, five softball fields, a skate park and other features; all of the fields are lighted. Fran Bolson, president of the Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the lighting allows teams to play later into the night, which further enhances the area’s ability to host sports events. “It’s rare to have such a standout facility with attributes that rise above the competition,” she said. “Athletes and their families are committed, and we want to demonstrate our respect for that in giving them an outstanding experience when they compete and visit the Chicago Northwest region.”
These are just a few of the developments in new and renovated sports venues across the country. Read about other new, renovated and upcoming sports venues in the state-by-state entries that follow.
Alabama
Birmingham: The city council has approved $48 million toward a redevelopment project of Fair Park and Five Points West. The project, estimated at $90 million, would include an indoor track, equestrian facilities, an Olympic-size swimming stadium and a renovated Birmingham International Raceway. Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau; (800) 458-8085.
Decatur: Jimmy Johns Tennis Center, featuring 14 hard courts, four clay courts, meeting space and a pro shop, opened in September 2007 in Point Mallard Park.
Arizona
Goodyear: The new spring training facility for the Cleveland Indians opened in September in Goodyear. The facility could be used for events outside of spring training season. Groundbreaking on a twin facility for the Cincinnati Reds’ spring training is scheduled in November, with an estimated August 2009 completion.
Mesa: Gaylord Entertainment in Nashville, Tenn., has entered into a land purchase agreement with DMB Mesa Proving Grounds LLC for a multipurpose development that would include a Gaylord resort, a retail facility, a golf course, office space and other mixed-use components.
California
Fairfield: Construction on the Allan Witt Aquatic Center began in August. The facility, scheduled for completion in November 2009, will include an outdoor, zero-depth, beach-entry pool and an enclosed, indoor activity pool with a retractable roof.
Lincoln: The 42-acre Foskett Regional Park, featuring the four-diamond, lighted Eleanor Carnesecca Softball Complex and a four-field, lighted soccer complex, was dedicated in March.
Los Angeles: Just open this fall, Hangar Athletic Xchange (HAX) features six basketball courts, basketball and volleyball academies and more. L.A. Live, open since October 2007, is expected to finish phase two, which will include Lucky Strike Lanes and other features, in 2009 and phase three in 2010.
Modesto: Modesto Junior College is planning construction of a new softball stadium with bleacher seating. Construction is expected to begin in March 2009, with an estimated completion date of October 2009.
Pleasanton: Bernal Sports Park is scheduled to open in October 2009 with two lighted baseball/softball fields. A second phase with three multipurpose fields for soccer, football, lacrosse and other sports is planned for the future.
Portola Valley: Construction began in August on the Ladera Oaks Swim and Tennis Club expansion. The project is estimated for completion in 2010.
Santa Clara: The NFL’s San Francisco 49ers are planning a new, multimillion-dollar, 68,000-seat stadium in time for the 2012 season; it could host other sports, concerts and events.
Turlock: A 2,300-seat athletic stadium with a soccer field, track, field-events area and other features is scheduled for completion in early 2009 at California State University-Stanislaus.
Colorado
Colorado Springs: A public-private partnership between the city and the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) will relocate the USOC headquarters to a new downtown office, which will allow for more training venues, expanded athlete housing and upgrades to the visitor center at the Olympic Training Center. The new USOC headquarters is scheduled for completion in 2009.
Glendale: The Glendale Sports Center at Infinity Park opened in July. The complex includes a 5,000-seat stadium for rugby and other sports, plazas surrounding the stadium, a fitness center and the Infinity Park Event Center.
Greeley: Island Grove Regional Park completed renovations to its two lighted soccer fields in August 2007.
Loveland: Loveland Fairgrounds Park opened in September with the Barnes Complex batting cages and ball fields, basketball courts, a skate park and other features.
Florida
Daytona Beach: The Ocean Center continues a $76 million expansion after opening its 205,536-square-foot exhibit hall in September. The Ocean Center also has 340,000 square feet of parking/outdoor exhibit space. Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau; (866) 530-3140; www.daytonabeachmeetings.com.
Lake Buena Vista: Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex opened the Jostens Center multi-sport facility in July.
Lake Myrtle: The 250-acre Lake Myrtle Sports Complex is scheduled to open eight baseball fields and a stadium in February 2009, along with eight international-size soccer fields and a 3,500-seat stadium in June 2009.
Miami: Dolphin Stadium has completed part of a $300 million renovation, including the addition of 360,000 square feet to the Club Level.
New Port Richey: The Land O’Lakes Recreation Complex opened in November 2007 with eight soccer fields; Wesley Chapel District Park opened in August 2007 with 10 multi-sport fields; and the New Port Richey Recreation and Aquatic Center opened in May 2007 with two pools and three basketball/volleyball courts. Other projects pending approval include a multipurpose stadium and the Pasco National Tennis Center.
Ocala: Wrigley Fields Park, a 72-acre mixed-use sports facility just north of Ocala, opened in late summer with three baseball fields, as well as fields for football, soccer, softball, volleyball and more.
Orlando: Rhodes+Brito has been selected to design the major renovations to the Florida Citrus Bowl. Construction is expected to continue over the next three years.
Panama City: The 200-plus-acre Frank Brown Park added four tennis courts in March. The park also includes nine baseball/softball fields; three soccer fields; four multipurpose fields; indoor and outdoor basketball courts; two shuffleboard courts; an indoor gymnasium; and equestrian and aquatic centers.
Port Charlotte: The 43,500-square-foot Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center is scheduled to open in January 2009 as a venue for meetings, special events and sports events. Charlotte Sports Park is undergoing a $27 million renovation. The park, which will be the spring training facility for the Tampa Bay Rays, is expected to open in January 2009.
Georgia
Alpharetta: The Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park opened in May. In addition to concerts, the 12,000-seat outdoor venue can host band competitions, awards and closing ceremonies for sports events and other special events.
Clayton County: A new recreation center broke ground in July. The center will be located at the Gerald Matthews Sports Complex in Lovejoy.
Hartwell: Cateechee Golf Club has been re-certified as a Signature Sanctuary by Audubon International, a nonprofit environmental education organization that promotes the protection and sustainability of land, water, wildlife and other natural resources.
Illinois
Rock Island: Ericson Field’s press box at Augustana College was remodeled and a new scoreboard installed in September 2007. In August, enhancements to the stadium’s track and field, which included a new nine-lane, blue tartan polyurethane track, were completed.
Sparta: The 1,500-acre World Shooting & Recreational Complex added 24 skeet fields in August 2007 and fishing docks in the spring of 2008. Construction on a 3-D archery course is expected to begin in the spring of 2009.
Urbana: The 340,000-square-foot Activities & Recreation Center at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign campus, opened in August 2008 with 13 permanent, hardwood, full-size basketball courts, 12 racquetball courts, three squash courts and other features.
Indiana
Hebron: Hallmark Convention and Sports Complex opened in September 2007 with 60 outdoor soccer fields.
Merrillville: The Fieldhouse, a franchise of U.S. Basketball Fieldhouses LLC, opened in October with six hardwood basketball courts.
Kansas
Overland Park: Overland Park Soccer Complex is scheduled to open in 2009 with 12 fields. The complex will include a grandstand at Championship Field and a fieldhouse with meeting rooms and wireless Internet service.
Kentucky
Bowling Green: Renovations are under way on the grandstand at Houchens-L.T. Smith Stadium to increase seating capacity from 17,500 to 25,000. A 4,000-seat stadium for the new Class-A South Atlantic League affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays is scheduled to open in April 2009.
Louisiana
Baton Rouge: Burbank Soccer Complex is expanding from 12 fields to 22 fields, scheduled to open in the spring of 2009 and already scheduled to host the 2010 U.S. Youth Soccer Region III Championships. The eight-field Oak Villa Ball Complex completed its first year of play in 2008.
New Orleans: Phase two renovations are expected to continue through the end of the year to replace the 192-foot-long windows in each of the four clubrooms of the Louisiana Superdome/New Orleans Arena. The replacement of the facility’s anodized aluminum outer skin will begin in 2009.
Maryland
Prince Frederick: Groundbreaking for the Calvert County Indoor Aquatic Center was held in September. Upon completion in 2010, the 41,152-square-foot facility will include a 50-meter lap pool, a therapy pool, a leisure pool, a spa, an exercise room, locker and meeting rooms, and mezzanine spectator seating.
Massachusetts
Lancaster: Citizens Bank Fields at Progin Park opened in September 2007 with five synthetic turf fields and 11 natural grass fields. The park will host the 2009 U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships.
Michigan
West Olive: Developers operating as Great American Sports Co. LLC hope to open phase one of the Great American Sports Complex in Port Sheldon Township by the spring of 2009.
Minnesota
Cottage Grove: The Ice Arena completed a $6.8 million expansion in October. The arena now features two large rinks, a smaller rink and seating for more than 1,650 combined, along with a remodeled lobby and concessions area and expanded walkway.
Forest Lake: The Fenway Athletic Complex opened in September with a year-round ice sheet and a fieldhouse with a five-month ice sheet that could be used for turf or field sports the remainder of the year.
St. Cloud: The first of two expansion/renovation phases to the National Hockey Center, located on the St. Cloud State University campus, is scheduled to begin in March 2010. The first phase is estimated for completion by the 2010 hockey season; the second phase is expected to begin in March 2011 and be completed by the fall for the start of the 2011 hockey season.
Mississippi
Oxford: FNC Park at Oxford-Lafayette Fields is scheduled to open by summer 2009. It will include five soccer fields, eight baseball fields and three softball fields, as well as walking trails, a BMX facility and four concessions buildings. City officials said there is additional space to accommodate future expansion of the sports facility; in addition, once FNC Park is completed, the city plans to renovate or expand other fields and facilities in the area.
Missouri
Springfield: Missouri State University will open a new $67 million, 11,000-seat basketball arena, JQH Arena, in November. Drury University will open a new $12 million, 4,000-seat multipurpose facility, the O’Reilly Family Event Center, in 2009.
New York
Binghamton: Binghamton University opened the Bearcats Sports Complex in the fall of 2007. The complex includes a synthetic turf field with seating for 2,500 and a lighted synthetic-turf practice field with seating for 1,000.
Greenport: The site for a baseball training facility, at the former Sunset Drive-In at Routes 9 and 23, received final approval in May. The facility’s first phase, featuring eight, two-story buildings, is expected to be completed by June 2009.
Lake Placid: Open since August, Lake Placid Athletic Fields feature six regulation fields for lacrosse, soccer and rugby.
North Carolina
Cary: The USA Baseball National Training Complex has completed its first full season after opening in June 2007.
Concord: The $65 million zMAX Dragway opened in September. Renovations to 12 fields at Frank Liske Park Soccer Complex were completed in the spring. Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau; (704) 260-8122; www.visitcabarrus.com.
Durham: Renovations estimated at $7.7 million are planned for Durham County Memorial Stadium. The renovations are expected to be completed by the 2010 football season.
Greensboro: Renovations are under way to the Irwin Belk Track & Field Complex at North Carolina A&T State University, which will host the 2009 USA Track and Field Junior Olympic Championships. Barber Park’s baseball field, amphitheater and Simkins Indoor Sports Pavilion are still in use, but renovations are planned for the Frisbee golf course, restroom facilities and picnic shelters.
Raleigh: The Triangle Aquatic Center in Raleigh-Durham opened in October 2007 with a 50-meter competition pool, a 25-yard training pool and a warm-water instructional pool, as well as spectator seating for up to 1,000 people. Future plans could include a fitness center.
Wilmington: Cape Fear Regional Soccer Park opened last year with seven full-size fields. Empie Park is undergoing an expansion that will increase the tennis courts from eight to 18. The expansion is expected to be completed in 2009, and five more courts are planned for the future. The first phase of the 88-acre Olsen Park is projected for completion in 2009. A 10-mile Cross-City Trail for biking and hiking is scheduled for completion by the end of the year. A 50,000-square-foot, riverfront convention center with an adjacent 157-room hotel is estimated for completion in late 2009 or early 2010. A downtown marina is scheduled to open next to the convention center in two to three years.
Ohio
Chillicothe: Ross County Convention Facility Authority reported that VA Stadium now features Field Turf.
Clinton Township: Gallagher Athletic Complex at Central Catholic High School completed additions and renovations, including expanding seating from 1,800 to 6,500, in August 2007.
Sylvania: Tam-O-Shanter hockey arena added a mezzanine level in September 2007.
Toledo: Construction has begun on the Lucas County Multipurpose Arena, scheduled for completion in October 2009. It will seat 7,500 for hockey and arena football and 9,500 for basketball, volleyball, concerts and other events.
Xenia: The 250-acre Athletes in Action Sports Complex plans a second phase that will include a 48,000-square-foot indoor complex with two NCAA regulation basketball courts and a 100,000-square-foot indoor soccer facility.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City: Construction on Oklahoma City University’s Devon Boathouse will begin January 2009. The 40,000-square-foot boathouse is scheduled for completion in May.
Tulsa: BOK Center opened in September with 18,500 seats and 38 suites for sports and entertainment events. Construction on the 250,000-square-foot Tulsa Convention Center is expected to begin in early 2009 and to be completed in the spring of 2010.
Oregon
Hillsboro: The area’s newest sports facilities include 53rd Ave. Sports Fields, completed in June with two Field Turf fields for soccer and lacrosse; Gordon Faber Recreation Complex, completed in May with two full-size ball fields and a youth field; and the 32-acre PCC Rock Creek Recreation Facility, completed in July 2007 with two multipurpose fields, four sand-based baseball/softball fields with temporary outfield fencing and removable bases, two natural turf practice fields, six tennis courts and other features.
Pennsylvania
Butler: Pullman Park is open following construction of an artificial turf infield and natural outfield in September 2007.
Cranberry Township: Phase one of Dick’s Sporting Goods Sportsplex at Graham Park is expected to be completed by early 2009. A Miracle League baseball field is scheduled to open in 2009 at Graham Park as well.
Lancaster: The Lancaster County Convention Center and 300-room Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square are set to open in March 2009, with a combined 90,000 square feet of meeting space.
York: Memorial Park, a 72-acre municipal park that will include nine softball fields, a batting cage, four sand volleyball courts and a miniature golf course, is estimated for completion in 2010. Other area facilities that were recently completed include new turf fields at Susquehannock High School; the 33,000-square-foot, indoor Graham Aquatic Center; Grumbacher Sports & Fitness Center at York College; and Sovereign Bank Stadium. Sport York; (888) YORK (9675) ext. 105; www.sportyork.org.
Rhode Island
Providence: The Dunkin’ Donuts Center opened in September following an $80 million renovation. The facility is the home of the Providence Bruins collegiate basketball team and also can host ice skating events, monster truck rallies, motocross and other events. Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau; (401) 456-0200, www.goprovidence.com.
South Carolina
Greenville: A $4 million renovation project has been approved for the former Municipal Stadium. The project will include renovations to the 5,000-seat stadium and the addition of four ball fields.
Myrtle Beach: Crabtree Memorial Gymnasium is undergoing a $6 million renovation project that includes two new racquetball courts, new aerobics studios, additional parking and other improvements.
North Myrtle Beach: Renovations to the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center began in September and are estimated for completion in June 2009. Construction on the 20,000-square-foot North Strand Community Center began in May. The area’s newest sports venues also include The SportsZone, a 44,000-square-foot complex featuring a turf field and designed for basketball, volleyball, racquetball, dodgeball, soccer and roller hockey.
South Dakota
Rapid City: The Rushmore Plaza Events Center, an addition to the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, is targeted to open in November. It will seat 5,100 for ice hockey, 5,700 for basketball and 7,200 for concerts. In addition, a 25-field soccer complex has been approved and is projected to open in 2010.
Sioux Falls: The Augustana College Kirkeby-Over Stadium is under construction and expected to be completed in 2009. The University of Sioux Falls Sanford Health Sports Complex, slated to open by 2010, will include soccer, track and field, football and possibly indoor tennis. Yankton Trails Park will add a soccer complex with 21 full-size soccer fields in 2009; the soccer complex is already scheduled to host the US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championships June 19-24, 2009.
Tennessee
Chattanooga: Construction began in July on the Summit of Softball Complex. The complex is scheduled to open in May 2009 with eight lighted softball fields, including seven adult fields and one youth field. Warner Park debuted its completed $2.8 million renovation in July.
Gatlinburg: The area’s latest projects include expansion of the Gatlinburg Convention Center, which now features a civic auditorium, a ballroom, a boardroom and breakout rooms. The facility can host cheer, dance, gymnastics, martial arts, bridge and other sports events.
Jackson: West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex has added a concessions/restrooms building since opening in August 2006. A gift shop was added this spring, and another concessions/restrooms building will be completed after the 2008 season, in time for the 2009 season.
Texas
Amarillo: The 70,000-square-foot Courts of Amarillo opened in January with eight basketball courts, eight volleyball courts and 16 practice volleyball courts. Eight softball fields are expected to be ready by spring of 2009.
Arlington: The new stadium for the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys will open in 2009.
Bryan-College Station: Brazos County Expo Complex, which opened last year, features a covered outdoor arena for rodeo, bull riding and equestrian events. Veterans Park, which has four lighted softball fields and nine adult-size soccer fields, is adding additional fields and soccer fields. McFerrin Athletic Center, an indoor competition track with Olympic-caliber features and football practice facilities, is scheduled to open in December at Texas A&M University. Also at Texas A&M, the arena and barn at Freeman Arena are expanding to better accommodate the equestrian team and events.
Cottonwood Shores: Construction is under way on the $8.2 million Andy Roddick Foundation International Tennis Center, scheduled to open in early 2009 with 17 courts.
Frisco: Dr Pepper StarCenter-Deja Blue Arena is expanding to include an additional 5,000 seats and other features; the facility is set to open in 2009. Also, targeted for completion in March 2009 is the 150,000-square-foot Sports Village USA Fieldhouse, featuring two indoor turf fields and 13 full-size hardwood basketball and volleyball courts, along with hotel and office space, restaurants and retailers.
Harlingen: The 12-field Harlingen Soccer Complex opened in November with 10 regulation-size fields and two championship fields. Wilson Sports Complex is adding four new, lighted fields for a total of 12 baseball/softball fields; the additions should be completed by December.
Llano: Planned additions to Llano ISD Stadium will include the construction and rehabilitation of tennis courts with new and renovated seating areas, a new concessions/restrooms building and new parking.
Lewisville: Groundbreaking for Railroad Park, a 287-acre park and athletic complex, was held in September. The park is scheduled to open in the fall of 2009 with 10 soccer fields, four baseball fields, four youth football fields, walking trails, a skate park and dog park.
Longview: Following recent additions, Lear Park Youth Sports Complex will open for play in the spring of 2009 with 16 soccer fields, eight softball fields and four baseball fields. Timpson Park and McWhorter Park Baseball Complex both added a new concessions building in 2008.
Port Aransas: Newport Dunes Golf Club opened a 71-par, signature Arnold Palmer Golf Course & Resort this summer.
Round Rock: Williamson County Regional Park is planning an expansion that will bring the park to 800 acres with the addition of a veloway, skateboard park, an 18-hole golf course, an equestrian center and a pool. Old Settlers Park is scheduled to reopen in the spring of 2009 following the conversion of two softball fields into baseball fields and the construction of a new concessions/restroom building.
Seguin: Huber Ranch opened in July with five fastpitch, NCAA-regulation softball fields. Future development over the next five years will bring an additional eight softball fields, 10 soccer fields, four baseball fields and a 7-on-7 football field.
Virginia
Hampton: Open since March, the Boo Williams Sportsplex features eight tournament-play basketball courts; 12 competition volleyball courts; eight competition indoor hockey fields; a 200-meter, six-lane indoor track; a long jump; a pole vault; a triple jump; a shot put; retractable bleacher seating for up to 4,000; playing pavilions; and more. Hampton Convention & Visitors Bureau; (800) 487-8778, www.sportshampton.com.
Williamsburg: James City County Stadium at Warhill Sports Complex opened in August 2007. The stadium seats 3,000 and features a multipurpose, synthetic turf field that can host varsity football, soccer and field hockey for local high schools, as well as championships, tournaments, concerts and special events.
Yorktown: A new York County Sports Complex with seven lighted baseball and softball fields, six lighted soccer fields and other features is expected to be completed in the spring of 2009.
Washington
Snohomish: Work on a new sports turf drainage system for the baseball and soccer fields at Sky River Park began in August; the fields should be ready for play in the spring of 2009. Hydroseeding on the new Lake Stevens Community Park will begin in the spring of 2009.
Spokane: A conditional-use permit modification to accommodate expansion of the Spokane Soccer Center was approved in January. Designs for the project have not been finalized, but a center official said he hopes the expansion would get under way next year.
Wenatchee: The 4,300-seat, multipurpose Town Toyota Center opened in October. Also, plans call for the construction of football and baseball stadiums, a skate court, a 50-meter pool, three softball fields and a middle school as part of Pioneer Complex and the redevelopment of Lincoln Park; the two projects are projected to begin in 2010.
Wisconsin
Cudahy: A $7.6 million indoor soccer training facility has passed two of three necessary approvals. Final approval is expected by the end of the year, with a 2010 opening.
Green Bay: The 175,000-square-foot, 4,000-seat Kress Events Center opened in November 2007 at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Kenosha: A $15 million sports arena will replace the existing sports facility connected to the Northeast Tarble Athletic Center at Carthage College. The sports arena will be the home arena for Carthage College basketball and volleyball and also will host regional high school sports tournaments, concerts and other entertainment events; completion is expected by the 2009 basketball season.
Oshkosh: Oshkosh Sports Complex has completed renovations to the track and field, training facilities and locker rooms, while renovations to the softball field are expected to be completed in August 2009.
Stevens Point: A new turf field and scoreboard are among the recent updates to Community Stadium. An additional 2,000 seats and a new locker room, restrooms and concessions area are set for completion in 2010.
Wisconsin Dells: The Wisconsin Dells Center, which opened in June 2007, added roll-up turf purchased from the RCA Dome/Indianapolis Colts in August. The 90,000-square-foot facility can include up to 32 wrestling mats, 16 volleyball courts, 10 basketball courts, four soccer fields, two softball fields, an indoor track and an indoor golf driving range.