West Michigan Sports Commission Breaks Ground on $13.5 Million Meijer Sports Complex Expansion in Rockford
The West Michigan Sports Commission is making big moves to expand the Meijer Sports Complex in Plainfield Township, with a groundbreaking ceremony held on Friday for a $13.5 million project. This expansion will include new softball and baseball fields, 20 pickleball courts, a new concession building, and more, with completion expected by October 2025.
The goal of the project is to accommodate an additional 200 teams annually, catering to more youth and amateur athletes in the area. It is projected to generate an additional $1 million a year in visitor spending, boosting the local economy.
The fundraising campaign for the expansion has already raised $13 million, with contributions from public and private entities, including a $3 million state grant, a $750,000 federal grant secured by U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, and $1.5 million from Alro Steel. The campaign was launched in October 2022 and is just $500,000 short of its goal.
The Meijer Sports Complex, which opened in 2014, has been a hub for sports events, hosting 208 events, 8,200 teams, and 265,750 visitors since its inception. The expansion will bring new features like championship-level softball and baseball fields, pickleball courts, and additional parking spaces to enhance the complex’s offerings.
With construction costs rising, the initial estimate of $11.4 million for the project was increased to $13.5 million. The expansion is a collaborative effort involving various organizations and individuals coming together to create more recreational spaces for athletes in West Michigan.
Overall, the project aims to enrich the lives of athletes of all ages and abilities, with support from partners like Meijer, who have been involved with the West Michigan Sports Commission for over a decade. The architectural design services for the expansion are being provided by Progressive Companies, with construction overseen by Owen-Ames-Kimball Co., both based in Grand Rapids.
