West Michigan Sports Commission Launches $11 Million Capital Campaign for Meijer Sports Complex Expansion
West Michigan Sports Commission Launches $11 Million Capital Campaign for Meijer Sports Complex Expansion
PLAINFIELD TWP. — The West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) is gearing up for a major expansion of the Meijer Sports Complex with the launch of an $11 million capital campaign. The campaign, dubbed “Winning Streak,” aims to add more fields and amenities to the Rockford area facility, which has been a hub for baseball and softball tournaments of various levels.
The decision to expand comes as the venue’s contribution to the local sports tourism industry has exceeded pre-pandemic levels. WMSC President Mike Guswiler expressed optimism about the expansion plan, citing the surge in demand for sports events post-pandemic.
To support the expansion, the WMSC has submitted funding requests at the county, state, and federal levels. If approved, these requests could cover more than half of the $11 million target. The campaign seeks to fund the construction of a new championship softball field with synthetic turf, grandstands, lighting, and a press box, as well as three flexible fields for baseball and softball, 20 pickleball courts, a playground area, and additional parking spaces.
The Meijer Sports Complex has been a significant economic driver, with 21 baseball and softball tournaments held this year alone generating over $8 million in estimated direct visitor spending. The expansion is expected to accommodate 200 more teams annually and bring in an additional $1 million in visitor spending.
Progressive AE Inc., based in Grand Rapids, is providing design services for the expansion. Guswiler emphasized that the expansion was always part of the vision for the Meijer Sports Complex and expressed confidence in the campaign’s success.
With construction set to begin in 2024, the WMSC is looking forward to growing the impact of the complex as a community asset. Guswiler stated, “We’ve been doing it sustainably through different revenue centers and putting it back into the complex. It’s a community asset as well. We just know it works and we want to grow that impact. We feel really good about this campaign.”
