BY GABBY BAILEY
Breaking it down
What they’re saying
Looking ahead
The fields will cost an estimated $30 mil- lion, the retail and land development will fall between $10 million-$15 million and $20 mil- lion-$25 million will be for the hotel. The total will be $60 million-$70 million, Dickson said. He doesn’t expect construction to hinder traffic off Cleveland-Gibbs Road or SH 114. Play It Forward will shoulder the cost of building the complex while the city will focus on constructing a park and/or trails behind the fields, Petree said. Funds from Roanoke Parks and Recreation will be used for the project. According to a third-party analysis from Sports Facilities Advisory LLC, the complex is expected to generate nearly $29 million in city revenue in its first year of full operation from hosting at least 41 tournaments and guests using the hotel, eating at the complex’s restaurants, shopping in its stores and visiting other areas of Roanoke.
State Rep. Ben Bumgarner, R-Flower Mound, said he’s seen firsthand what a sports complex can do for a city. He was on Flower Mound City Council when the city approved Bakersfield Park, an outdoor recreation area that was completed in 2004 and features multiple soccer fields and baseball diamonds. He said Flower Mound has become a highly sought-after community for families largely due to the schools and amenities the city has to offer. Gierisch said the complex will draw families together and is a natural way for the city to support youth sports. He added that the facility will become a centralized hub in the community and put North Texas on the map as a center for youth sports.
2024
Sept. 18: Groundbreaking ceremony Fourth quarter: Water utility line to be laid out; construction of fields to begin Third quarter: Fields expected to be completed; tournament scheduling begins; construction on retail space to start 2025
Fourth quarter: Break ground on hotel
Third quarter: Hotel construction and retail space expected to be completed 2026
“The Roanoke Sports Complex is going to be an anchor in this community.”
SOURCES: PLAY IT FORWARD SPORTS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Economic impact Estimated city revenue from complex visitors
BEN BUMGARNER, TEXAS STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 63
Dickson said the fields and parking lots will be completed first. Once Play It Forward has a completion date for the fields, tournaments will be scheduled. Murphy, who grew up playing on fields like ones at the Roanoke Sports Complex before becoming an MLB outfielder, said he believes the facility will have a lasting impact on players. “There will be future kids that play on these fields that end up playing in the Big Leagues,” he said. “We’re giving young athletes the opportunity to grow in many ways.”
$40M
$36.89M
$35M
“We are creating a hub for the community and engagement in healthy living and personal
$30M
$32.56M
$28.97M
$25M
development.” SCOOTER GIERISCH, ROANOKE MAYOR
$0
SOURCE: SPORTS FACILITIES ADVISORY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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