As Macomb city government leaders continue studying the idea of building an indoor sports complex, some say it’s time to hear more from the public.
First ward city council member Justin Schuch suggested the city hold a couple of community sessions to give the public a chance to weigh in on the idea.
“I’ve had multiple people just feel like there’s not an opportunity for the community to actually say any thoughts at this stage, and I hope that we figure out how to do that,” Schuch said.
The facility would host youth tournaments for basketball and volleyball. Other events might include trade shows, graduations, and concerts.
Kim Pierce, Executive Director of the Macomb Area Economic Development Corporation, said a community meeting would be an opportunity to address concerns and put to rest misinformation about the project.
“With that said, we can’t be everything to everybody either, so we know that we’re going to have some of the naysayers as we always do with any kind of project,” Pierce said.
“It feels like we’re really expediting this, but we’re not. We’ve done our homework. We’re doing our due diligence.”
Fourth ward city council member Dave Dorsett also said it’s important for the city to keep providing information to the public.
“I’ve been at this a while now and it’s going to be the single largest project that I recall in my time here,” Dorsett said.
City Administrator Scott Coker said at least one meeting could be held in September.
He said the city will also be holding a public hearing sometime on the proposed business development district, which is being floated as a way help generate revenue for the project.
Sports Facilities Companies conducted a feasibility study for Macomb, and found it would be feasible to build a sports complex in the community.
Kaliegh Hincman, an account executive with the company, told the city council early this year that the complex would make Macomb a regional sports tourism destination, drawing visitors from up to four hours away.
Regular meetings to discuss the sports complex
Coker said he, Pierce, Mayor Mike Inman, and Community Development Director Miranda Lambert have met weekly with Sports Facilities Companies to discuss financial issues, the naming rights, the location, and other topics related to the proposed project.
“We feel we have the best company. They manage over 90 facilities in the United States. We feel they are very knowledgeable,” Coker said.
He said the city is paying Sports Facilities monthly for consulting services.
Coker also said they have met five or six times with the larger partners group, which includes MAEDCO, McDonough County government, the Macomb Park District, McDonough District Hospital, the YMCA of McDonough County, the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce, the Macomb Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Regional Office of Education 26.
Sports facility road trips
Coker said a group from the city has visited facilities in three other communities.
One of those is the sports complex in Mattoon, Ill., which opened in December. It’s called Emerald Acres. Coker said estimated figures show:
- It’s brought in more than $6.7 million to local businesses
- There have been 15,900 non-local overnight visitors
- 400 different teams have competed there
- More than 7,000 hotel rooms have been booked
- 47 jobs were created
The Macomb group also visited facilities in Rock Mountain, N.C., which Coker said is more of an events center, and in Overland Park, Kan., which Coker said is the “Taj Mahal” of sports complexes.
“Not that we’re going to build something that big or that high-scale, but it’s good to see all these different facilities,” he said.
A history of sports tourism
Pierce said Macomb has a lot to offer regarding sports tourism, and has a history in the field.
“We had the St. Louis Rams here for nine years, and we were able to parlay that into community and economic development that was phenomenal,” Pierce said.
She said she met people at events across the nation who knew of Macomb because of the Rams’ training camp.
The Rams held their summer training camp at Western Illinois University from 1996 to 2004. The team played in two Super Bowls during those years, defeating the Tennessee Titans 23–16 in Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000, and falling to the New England Patriots 20–17 in Super Bowl XXXVI two years later.
Paying for the the project
City council members this week heard from John Hansen of Integra Realty Resources. Coker recommends hiring the firm to assist the city with completing a financial analysis and determining the best method to fund the sports complex.
In a memo, Coker wrote, “We are at a point of needing a more detailed financial performa for the project, especially for the planned retail and commercial development that we expect will go along with the facility.”
The cost of the work is $105,000. Coker said it would be paid for with business development district funds, with the city’s General Fund as a backup.
The city council will be asked to approve the agreement on Aug. 18.
Tri States Public Radio produced this story. TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department, please consider making a financial contribution.
