From cricket in Oakland to Olympic ice in Dublin, new facilities are transforming how cities attract tournaments and tourism dollars
Stay ahead of the game and discover cutting-edge innovations in the latest sports facility news.
A new pro sport in town: Oakland Coliseum to be retrofitted for Major League Cricket
In a high-profile pivot from baseball to cricket, The LandTek Group is leading the transformation of the Oakland Coliseum into a venue for the 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) season. The former Athletics stadium, which opened in 1966 and has also hosted the NFL’s Raiders, will now feature nine MLC matches, thanks in part to the installation of drop-in pitches sourced from the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
LandTek’s grounds crew will manage the complex process of transporting the pitches nearly 3,000 miles from New York’s Eisenhower Park to California. The company will partner with turf specialists from Adelaide Oval in Australia, one of the sport’s most iconic venues, to maintain pitch quality throughout the season.
This move reflects LandTek’s expanding role in international sports construction. In 2024, the company helped build and maintain two T20 World Cup venues, and now it’s applying that experience to help grow cricket in the U.S. ahead of its return to the Olympics in 2028.
“This is a major step forward,” said COO John Sulinski. “We’re proud to support MLC and to help bring world-class cricket to American fans.”
Aiming for regional impact: Bradley, Illinois, opens $47 million 315 Sports Park
What was farmland two years ago in Kankakee County is now one of Illinois’ most ambitious youth sports developments. Bradley’s 315 Sports Park officially opened the first weekend of May 2025, welcoming 50 boys’ travel baseball teams to a 126-acre complex featuring 12 turf fields, walking paths, a playground, ponds and on-site dining.
Managed by JP Sports, 315 Sports Park is designed to be a regional destination for baseball, softball and soccer. Only six fields are in use now, but all 12 will be ready by June 2025, when more than 140 teams are expected to descend on the area. Village leaders estimate $300,000 in field rental revenue this season alone.
“This is a first-class facility,” said John Pieritz, owner at JP Sports. “Bradley didn’t hold back—teams will be blown away.”
The site’s transformation was fast. Purchased in 2023 for just over $2.5 million, the former farm saw construction move quickly under Mayor Mike Watson’s oversight, though costs ran about 50% over budget. Still, village officials believe the investment will pay off in the long term.
“We set out to be the premier site,” said Watson. “I want this to be the destination of choice.”
Pennsylvania’s Saint Vincent College breaks ground on game-changing athletic complex
Folsom Ranch Sports Complex application moves forward in California
A major step has been taken toward bringing a state-of-the-art sports and recreation facility to Folsom, California. Sports and entertainment space developer The Mettle Shop has formally submitted its application to the City of Folsom for the proposed Folsom Ranch Sports Complex—a $90 million project planned for a 21-acre site south of Highway 50.
The 410,000-square-foot facility includes a 3,000-seat arena with an NHL-size ice sheet, two additional practice rinks, a covered outdoor turf field, and flexible space for basketball, volleyball, pickleball, soccer and lacrosse. The venue is also designed to host community events, live music, conferences and festivals.
Should the project be approved, the complex would fill a significant regional gap in ice facilities and is projected to attract more than 1.3 million annual visitors. An early economic impact report estimates more than $23 million in annual revenue from tourism-related spending.
The project is privately funded and will now undergo environmental and design review. If all approvals fall into place, construction could begin as early as 2026.
True Gritt Youth Sports aims to bring $120M youth sports hub to Kuna, Idaho
A 114-acre youth sports complex could transform a corner of Kuna, Idaho—if founder David McMenomey can secure the funding. The proposed True Gritt Sports Complex would feature eight full-size baseball fields, a 200,000-square-foot indoor facility, two hotels and space for on-site dining. The multipurpose fields would be able to be used for soccer, lacrosse, rugby and more, while the indoor center would host basketball, gymnastics and other youth activities.
McMenomey, who founded the nonprofit True Gritt Youth Sports, has applied to rezone the available land and partnered with the City of Kuna, which is contributing 20 acres for the project. The estimated $120 million cost hinges on private donations, corporate sponsors and community buy-in. A brick campaign is also underway to raise funds.
An early economic impact study estimates the complex could bring in $26 million in its first year and up to $52 million annually within five years. While traffic and noise are of concern to the community, local sports clubs are eager for more space.
The project will go before Kuna’s planning commission in July 2025, with hopes of breaking ground this fall and completing the complex by 2027.
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Blueprints for the football and soccer field additions for Cape Girardeau’s Youth Outdoor Sports Complex.
Cape Girardeau Youth Outdoor Sports Complex is set for a 2026 debut
Cape Girardeau, Missouri, is making steady progress on its Youth Outdoor Sports Complex, a two-phase project expected to open by late spring or early summer 2026. Located near Shawnee Park Center, the new development will feature five artificial turf baseball fields and, in a later phase, two multipurpose fields along College Street near Jefferson Elementary.
Approved in 2018 under the Parks & Recreation Stormwater Tax (PRS2) initiative, the project is being constructed by Penzel Construction, a local company that has worked on the city’s other sports facilities such as the Aquatic Center and SportsPlex. Crews are currently clearing trees and preparing to reroute a drainage ditch on the site.
Parks and Recreation Director Doug Gannon noted that the complex will help alleviate congestion at Arena Park, where shared use with the SEMO District Fair often strains field availability. While some games and practices will remain at Arena Park, several fields may be removed to support future development.
The addition of turf fields will improve playability and reduce weather delays, while also strengthening Cape Girardeau’s ability to host major youth tournaments and expand opportunities for local athletes.
Dublin’s first winter sports arena aims to transform Ireland’s sports landscape
A $212 million winter sports and entertainment complex is set to reshape Ireland’s sporting infrastructure. Prime Arena Holdings has announced plans for a multipurpose arena in Cherrywood, South Dublin, that will house two Olympic-sized ice rinks, a 5,000-seat (8,000 standing) venue and a high-performance training center.
The project will be Ireland’s first permanent facility for Olympic-standard winter sports and will also serve as home to Dublin’s first professional ice hockey franchise.
Backed by the Olympic Federation of Ireland and developed in partnership with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, the facility will also support elite training, youth development, concerts, exhibitions and large-scale corporate events.
Planning submission is scheduled for September 2025, with the site located inside the Cherrywood Strategic Development Zone—offering strong transport connectivity via Luas, Dublin Bus, and nearby motorways.
The arena is expected to deliver over $257 million in annual socio-economic impact and fill a long-standing gap in the national sports infrastructure. As part of a broader push to diversify and expand Ireland’s sports offerings, the project stands to become a major hub for athletes, fans and event organizers alike.
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