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Normal Study To Look At Costs, Impact Of Multisport Complex

Staff
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WGLT
The Central Illinois Regional Airport has wanted the soccer leagues to vacate Community Fields off Ireland Grove and Towanda Barnes Roads for some years because the fields are close to a runway.

The Town of Normal plans to hire an outside firm to conduct a deeper study into the feasibility and potential economic impact of building a new multisport complex.

The study, costing between $40,000 and $60,000, could take between three and six months to complete, said Deputy City Manager Pam Reece. Four firms that responded to the town’s request for proposals on the study will be interviewed for the job, she said.

"In terms of moving forward on a specific site on the west side, that might be a little bit premature."

The study is expected to help Normal leaders decide whether to pursue a new multisport complex, which some see as a potential regional and national destination for youth and adult sports. Normal has a similar venue in Champion Fields.

Supporters say there’s some urgency to the project because two youth soccer leagues—Prairie Cities and Illinois Fire Juniors—are looking for a new home. The Central Illinois Regional Airport has wanted the soccer leagues to vacate Community Fields off Ireland Grove and Towanda Barnes Roads for some years because the fields are close to a runway. The leagues would be a potential tenant at a new multisport complex.

Developers Katie Kim and Dave Stark are pushing their version of the multisport complex—a public-private partnership on Bloomington-Normal’s west side.

“In terms of moving forward on a specific site on the west side, that might be a little bit premature. We want to make sure we move forward thoughtfully,” Reece said.

Normal’s study is expected to include research and market analysis, including the identification of potential sites; a financial forecast for a five-year period, including construction and operating costs; and a deeper look at the future economic impact.

The Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau will join the Town of Normal’s interviews with the four candidate firms for the study.

“I see it as due diligence,” said Reece, who takes over at city manager in April. “I don’t think anyone has committed to a site or the project, but before we can move forward we want to make sure that it’s a feasible concept, and if such a multisport complex is economically feasible and does make sense for the community. Then what site makes the best sense? And then we evaluate potential sites.”

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Ryan Denham is the digital content director for WGLT.
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