Just north of the Scheels store on South MacArthur Boulevard, the Scheels Sports Park will be going in. Speaking at Wednesday’s groundbreaking, Ryan McCrady, president of the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance, said “We have great restaurants, historic sites, recreational opportunities, and hiking and biking trails…all for folks to be able to experience.  Sports tourism is a great way to separate people from their money, and we want to do it here in Springfield to benefit our local businesses.”

According to McCrady, the 70 plus acre development will feature multi-use indoor and outdoor facilities, lighted turf fields and will support major baseball, softball, soccer and youth sports tournaments.  He said the 190,000 square foot dome will accommodate volleyball, basketball courts, and indoor turf fields.  The complex is slated to be completed by 2025.