City officials break ground on the new sports facility during a ceremony in downtown Owensboro. Read about it in this article from the Messenger-Inquirer, posted here with permission.
‘Game Changer’: City breaks ground on indoor sports complex
By James Mayse
Messenger-Inquirer
City officials were in a celebratory mood Wednesday, as they broke ground on the $16.5-million downtown indoor sports complex on West Third Street.
The “sportplex” has been in the planning stages for two years, and Wednesday’s groundbreaking starts the countdown for the facility’s opening day.
City manager Nate Pagan said the schedule calls for the sportsplex to open in June of 2026.
The groundbreaking represents “a significant step forward for Owensboro,” Mayor Tom Watson said.
When complete, the sportsplex “will be a game changer for the city, and the region, I hope,” Watson said.
The 88,000-square-foot facility was budgeted at $18 million, but local contractor Envision submitted the low bid of $16.579 million.
The facility will contain seven full-sized basketball courts that can be converted for use as volleyball, pickleball or other courts. The facility will have an area suitable for futsal, a mezzanine, concessions and offices.
The city’s decision to fund the sportsplex “represents a significant investment in the community’s future,” Pagan said.
A stated goal of the facility is to create a venue for large sports tournaments, building upon what the city has already done to attract sports tourism. The city hosts sporting events at the Sporscenter, Fisher Park, Edge Ice Arena and at the convention center on removable sports floors. Plans are in the works to build a pickleball facility capable of hosting tournaments at Ben Hawes Park.
The sportsplex will “build on our well-deserved reputation for sports tourism,” Pagan said.
Watson said the venue will be near three downtown hotels — the third hotel is under construction — and by proximity to parking garages and parking lots.
“This venue will not only support local events, but attract regional and national tournaments,” Watson said.
“We are not just building a facility; we are building the future of Owensboro,” Watson said. “I’m excited to see the positive impact this will have on our city, and I’m excited to see what’s to come.”
The facility will be managed by OVG360, which also manages the convention center, Sportscenter and RiverPark Center.
Jeff Esposito, OVG’s general manager for the convention center, said the company is already connecting with tournaments that could use the facility.
“We deeply appreciate the city’s confidence” in being chosen to manage and market the facility, Esposito said. “This partnership reflects a shared commitment to enhance quality of life for visitors and residents both.”
The facility will be turned over to tournaments on weekends, but will be available for use by local sports clubs during the week.
Assistant City Manager Lelan Hancock said the facility will not be walk-in for local use, and said teams that want to use it will have to book a time through OVG360.
Hancock said sports tourism is a lucrative business.
Watson said having the indoor facility will mean the city can book sports tournaments in the colder months of the year.
Hancock said of sports tourism: “It’s a huge industry. It is amazing the amount of money (spent) on sports.”