After a year in limbo the idea of a multisport complex in Bloomington-Normal is coming back to the front burner.
Normal City Manager Pam Reece said she hopes for guidance on a direction for the potential $50 million facility will become clear within 45 days.
"In the Bloomington-Normal area we think there are probably six or so viable locations where there might be 120-ish acres that might be readily available that might have utility services and such," said Reece.
Reece said both municipalities have had other priorities until now.
At this time last year both city managers were new in their jobs as well.
There are less than six months left on the useful life of a $47,000 feasibility study delivered in July of last year. The study suggested the idea is a workable one to bring in sports tourism revenue to the community, but after the 18-month mark the economy and the numbers used in the study would be dated.
"I am confident that it is still a viable solution. Sports tourism is truly a thing and a lot of communities are relying on it. The question is whether the Bloomington-Normal community can get a piece of that action. And I think we can," said Reece.
She said there are some interested businesses, but no firm commitments for the public-private partnership.
Reece said she anticipates resolution one way or the other in perhaps 45 days.
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