Muscatine City Council approves $7 million indoor sports complex

MUSCATINE, Iowa (KWQC) – The Muscatine City Council has approved a $7 million indoor sports complex, aiming to provide year-round practice facilities for local athletes, reduce travel for sports teams, and host different events.

Scheduled for construction this fall and slated for completion by April 1, 2025, the facility promises to be a game-changer for local athletes and businesses alike.

“This complex will provide year-round practice facilities for our local athletes, reducing the need to travel to neighboring cities for indoor sports,” says Brad Bark, CEO and President of the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry. “We got something right here in our backyard that can easily just utilize this.”

The new facility will feature a range of sports venues, including two indoor softball fields, a full-size soccer field, and versatile spaces that can accommodate football and baseball. This will allow for continuous play throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions.

“If there’s a softball tournament and it starts raining, we’ll have the opportunity to move that inside,” Bark explains. “Inside, there’s gonna be enough room for two softball fields. It’s going to extend the playing season all year round.”

Local athletes stand to gain significantly from the complex, avoiding long commutes to cities like Burlington, Iowa City, or the Quad Cities.

“A lot of people have to head to different parts of the county to enjoy indoor sports, and all that costs money,” said Bark. “To have something in our county is so important, not only for residents but for local businesses to reap the benefits.”

The economic impact of the complex extends beyond just sports.

“It means a lot to Muscatine, not only to our small businesses when people come in for tournaments or events, but also to the hotels as visitors stay in Muscatine,” Bark added. “We have promoters calling our parks and rec office right now trying to secure a spot.”

City leaders will review project contracts and performance bonds on August 15, followed by a pre-construction Q&A session.

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