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Rendering by Larson & Darby Group of the new amateur sports complex.

Online Staff Report

One of the largest indoor amateur sports complexes in the Midwest will open its doors on the banks of the Rock River in downtown Rockford in 2014. The 115,000-square-foot riverfront complex will feature eight basketball courts, at least 14 volleyball courts, an extreme sports park, children’s play area, riverwalk and more.

Monday, Jan. 28, the Rockford City Council approved financing for the project and hired Sink Combs Dethlefs, a nationally renowned athletic facility design firm, to lead the project’s architectural and engineering team, along with a team of local architectural and engineering firms serving as sub-consultants on the project team.

“This project will act as a springboard for our community — propelling us to the next level in attracting amateur sports tournaments and tournaments to the Rockford community,” said Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey. “This complex will cement our reputation as a premier sporting destination in the Midwest, spur downtown development, generate new tax revenue and grow jobs. Our council is to be commended for their leadership in advancing this proposal with a unanimous vote, as well as the commitment made by the State of Illinois, Rockford Park District and Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau in making this a reality.”

The downtown sports complex is one of four projects included in the region’s Reclaiming First master plan for sports tourism. Additionally, the region is advancing the modernization and expansion of its existing Indoor Sports Center and Sportscore One and Two complexes.

City officials are working to finalize a construction timeline, with an anticipated opening by fall 2014. The Rockford Park District will operate the complex and the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau will lead sales, marketing and booking of the complex for amateur sports tournaments.

The city-owned former Ingersoll manufacturing complex sits on the banks of the Rock River in downtown Rockford, across from Davis Festival Park. The 115,000-square-foot building, built in phases between 1941 and 1967, will become a multi-court, hard-surface, air-conditioned facility and will create an opportunity to host hard-surface sports events that the region is currently unable to accommodate. It is anticipated that the complex will host 30-plus tournaments per year, in addition to use by local citizens.

Posted Feb. 7, 2013