Prospect Meadows sports complex faces economic challenges

MARION, Iowa (KCRG) – Prospect Meadows will have hosted over 1,100 teams by the end of its baseball season. That’s a record-breaking number of teams, but the athletic complex still doesn’t have the funds it needs.

The athletic complex hosts travel ball games, softball games, and even a league for children with disabilities.

The Quad City Area Knights travel baseball team plays at Prospect Meadows often.

“A lot. Like every weekend or every other weekend. It’s where most of our tournaments are held,” one team member said.

Even with the money the Prospect Meadows makes from the cost of admission and field rentals, the nonprofit says it isn’t enough.

“Even though the numbers we have are really good and growing, they’re still not what we projected from day one,” Prospect Meadows CEO and president, Jack Roeder, said.

Prospect Meadows brings thousands of people to the Cedar Rapids and Marion area, but it isn’t seeing much money come in from them.

“Part of it is just how much money Prospect Meadows actually takes in of the amount that actually comes in from the community,” Roeder said.

Mother Jodi Goetken watches her son play at Prospect Meadows. She said she couldn’t tell the complex is concerned about money, because it’s packed on the weekends.

“I cannot imagine being a parent with a younger child and not having a nice facility like this,” Goetken said. “This is what keeps them heads down and focused on their goals. It builds friendships, it teaches the how to be leaders in the community,” she said.

The complex said it hopes the local and private entities that helped build it will keep contributing funds.

“What we really need to do is get a five or 10 year plan so we know it’s going to be stable,” Roeder said.

Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.