New and expanded youth sports facilities continue to boost Northeast Wisconsin’s economy

(WLUK) — From basketball courts and rugby fields to baseball complexes and new ice rinks, youth sports facilities are being added or expanded in Northeast Wisconsin.

And the growth is not only a benefit for athletes, but communities and counties as well.

Blaze Sports and Fitness in Grand Chute held a ceremonial ribbon cutting Thursday for a 22,000-square-foot addition of training space. The addition doubled the size of the facility, adding two full-size basketball courts — which is also enough space to house four volleyball courts.

“There are a lot of youth and coaches in the community that need space to train, to work, to grow, to learn,” said owner Lisa Van Wyk.

The ribbon cutting comes on the same day Northeast Wisconsin Rugby Foundation broke ground on the region’s only rugby complex in the town of Lawrence.

According to Matt Goetsch with the Northeast Wisconsin Rugby Foundation, “It would not have been feasible to do this for an adult men’s or women’s team, just the impact would not have been there. Now that we have hundreds and hundreds of kids playing in Northeast Wisconsin, the need is there and the support is there and the financial benefits of the community are there.”

Set on 10 acres, phase one of the project includes construction of two rugby fields and a utility building that will house bathrooms and a concession stand. Parking space will be added too.

The town of Lawrence sold the property to the Northeast Wisconsin Rugby Foundation because of the town’s commitment to building parks and recreational opportunities, understanding the economic impact of these facilities.

“Bringing people into the area is also going to multiply our ability to have more diverse development too — commercial, retail, get a restaurant, get a hotel. Once you can bring people in and give them a reason to stay. Those people like to spend money in your community,” added Patrick Wetzel, the town of Lawrence administrator.

Northeast Wisconsin Rugby Foundation estimates initial tournaments in 2026, when phase one of its complex is complete, will have a nearly $1 million economic impact on the area.

Discover Green Bay says all the regional sports facilities combined have the ability to bring upwards of $25 million into the area. And the region is setting the stage to do just that.

Nick Meisner from Discover Green Bay said, “We’re hosting the national youth bowling championship in 2025. We’re hosting the national YMCA gymnastics championship in 2025. And then layer that on top of all the new development when it comes to sports facilities — we’re really going to become a hub for that in Northeast Wisconsin.”