West Michigan Sports Commission Hosts Groundbreaking for Meijer Sports Complex
The decade-old facility is getting more than $13 million in improvements
Posted On: October 15, 2024 By :The West Michigan Sports Commission hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a project that has been years in the making, with the improvement and expansion of the Meijer Sports Complex expected to be completed in October 2025.
The WMSC introduced the “Winning Streak” capital campaign two years ago and are $500,000 from their goal of the $13.5 million project total.
“Today is possible because everyone here came together — public organizations, private corporations, government agencies and even individuals — united in a singular cause of creating more spaces for youth and amateur athletes to recreate in West Michigan,” said WMSC President Mike Guswiler said. “We are so grateful to all of you for sharing in our vision of building up our region from an economic, health and wellness standpoint through sport.”
The Meijer Sports Complex opened in 2014 with eight baseball and softball fields, a championship baseball field and Nate Hurwitz Miracle League Field. The complex has cumulatively attracted 208 events and 265,750 visitors for an estimated economic impact for Kent County of $60 million in direct visitor spending.
The expanded facility will use acreage south of the complex. The new championship field for softball will feature synthetic turf, grandstands, lighting, covered dugouts and a press box. The complex will also include two diamond fields with covered dugouts and bleachers, 20 pickleball courts, a new concession building and restroom facility and 300 additional parking spaces.
Guswiler was joined by campaign co-chairs Deb Kay and Nick Davidson (NAIA vice president), campaign ambassador of baseball and former Detroit Tiger Lance Parrish, WMSC Board chair Jim Horman, Congresswoman Hillary Scholten, Senator Mark Huizenga and Ray Hancart, Meijer vice president of communications and community engagement.
“As a partner of the West Michigan Sports Commission for more than a decade, supporting youth and amateur sports continues to be an important way we live our purpose of enriching lives in the communities we serve,” said Hancart. “We’re thrilled to be part of expanding the Meijer Sports Complex to further serve athletes of all ages and abilities.”
Recent donations for the construction include a $3 million, one-time community enhancement grant from the state of Michigan, $1.5 million from Alro Steel and $750,000 secured by Scholten through the FY 2024 Community Project Funding Requests announced in June, along with anonymous donations.
Posted in: Hosts & Suppliers, Latest News, Sites & Venues