Dubuque, Iowa

A ‘Year-Round’ Sports Destination

By Jennie Hanna

Just 30 miles west of Dubuque, Iowa, in Dyersville, is the site of the movie “Field of Dreams.” The movie has forever linked Iowa and baseball, but the area can accommodate almost any sports event, according to Katie Simmons, sales manager for the Dubuque Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). “Dubuque takes pride in promoting, marketing and developing a strong sporting event base within the Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin tri-state area,” she said. “As we remain one of 10 regional sports authority districts in Iowa, this provides Dubuque a greater opportunity to help support local and national events coming to the area.”

One of the major sports attractions in Dubuque is its Five Flags Civic Center, a $3 million facility built in 1979 and renovated in 2005. Located in historic downtown Dubuque, the civic center now features 23,000 square feet of floor space and an arena that seats up to 4,200. Five Flags Civic Center is home to the Dubuque Thunderbirds, a Central States Hockey League (CSHL) team that recently won the 2009 CSHL playoff championship played on the Five Flags Civic Center’s arena hockey rink.

In addition to hockey, Five Flags Arena has hosted a variety of sporting events from wrestling to mixed martial arts, and from basketball to rodeos and much more, Simmons said.

Dubuque Soccer Complex features eight soccer fields. Last year, the complex hosted the Dubuque Blowout Soccer Tourney, which attracted 1,400 participants and more than 3,000 spectators, according to Simmons.

With more than 120 bowling lanes, bowling is a year-round activity within the tri-state area, Simmons said. Dubuque hosted the Iowa State Men’s Bowling Tournament Feb. 7-May 21, drawing 1,179 five-person teams and more than 10,000 spectators. The city also hosted the 92nd annual Iowa State U.S. Bowling Congress Tournament, Feb. 7-May 24 at the Cherry Lanes at the new Diamond Jo Casino.

Dubuque’s local colleges and high schools boast their own “state-of-the-art” facilities, which have helped attract sporting events over the years, Simmons said. Some of these events include the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III National Wrestling Finals and the USA Archery World Indoor Team Trials featuring two world-class archers who competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. “Our local colleges [including Northeastern Iowa Community College and the University of Dubuque] combined are capable of servicing just about any athletic event such as football, soccer, swimming, indoor/outdoor track, tennis, table tennis, baseball and softball and the list continues,” she said.

Grand River Center, located in the Port of Dubuque, is undergoing a full renovation after opening in 2003. The facility currently features 86,000 square feet of meeting space that can accommodate any event from 10 to 3,000 people, Simmons said, noting that the renovation is scheduled for completion next fall. The Grand River Center has hosted the Mississippi River Gymnastics, UPA weightlifting and volleyball tournaments within the past few years.

Dubuque offers more than 1,600 guest rooms— from full-service hotels to bed and breakfasts—for visiting sports groups, Simmons said. “Year-round, with all Dubuque has to offer, making the choice to bring your event to our city is too good of an opportunity not to pass up.”

For more information about sporting events, lodging or venues in Dubuque, visit www.DubuqueChamber.com.