New sports complexes across the U.S. are aiming to boost youth participation, drive tourism and expand community recreation access.
Stay ahead of the game and discover cutting-edge innovations in the latest sports facility news.
Florida State breaks ground on $12M lacrosse facility as program begins building inaugural roster
Florida State University is making history with the launch of its women’s lacrosse program, officially breaking ground on a $12 million lacrosse-only facility. Located on Pottsdamer Street near FSU’s golf and engineering facilities, the venue will feature a team clubhouse and a stadium seating over 1,000, becoming only the second dedicated women’s lacrosse facility in the nation.
Head coach Sara Tisdale, a proven program builder with 114 career wins, is leading the Seminoles into their inaugural 2026 season. FSU Athletic Director Michael Alford called the new facility “the finest” and emphasized the university’s commitment to providing top-tier resources for women’s sports.
The program has already signed 19 players, including five standout transfers dubbed the “Fab Five.” Among them is Gabby Cleveland, an all-conference attacker who cited FSU’s family-like culture as a key factor in her decision to transfer.
With construction underway and a growing, bonded roster, Florida State’s newest team is laying strong foundations—both on the field and in the locker room.
Westwood neighborhood in Kalamazoo, Michigan moves forward with a proposed $40M youth sports facility
A $40 million indoor youth sports complex is officially proposed for Kalamazoo’s Westwood neighborhood, between Drake Road and U.S. 131, just north of a Holiday Inn. Announced by Discover Kalamazoo CEO Jane Ghosh, the 20-acre facility will include one indoor turf field and eight basketball courts convertible into 16 volleyball courts, serving both local athletes during the week and hosting regional tournaments on weekends.
Selected from over 30 possible sites, the location was chosen by a 12–1 vote from the county-appointed Youth Sports Facility Ad Hoc Committee. Pending county approval on June 17, the next step involves forming a municipal partnership authority to move the project forward.
The venue is projected to double Kalamazoo County’s sports tourism impact, adding 36,000 hotel nights annually and contributing $48.7 million in economic activity each year. Funding comes from a 4% hotel assessment enacted June 1, with no new taxes for residents. Site preparation could begin by late 2025, with groundbreaking planned for spring 2026.
California’s Santa Maria Valley breaks ground on $13M youth sports complex decades in the making
After nearly a decade of planning, Santa Maria, California city leaders broke ground on the long-awaited $13 million Santa Maria Sports Complex—a 21-acre recreational hub poised to reshape youth development and community wellness. Located at South Depot Street and West Stowell Road, the facility is a flagship project of the city’s “Smart City, Safe City” initiative, aimed at addressing youth violence and promoting positive engagement through organized sports.
Designed for multi-sport use—including soccer, football, lacrosse and futsal—the complex will also feature fitness stations, walking trails and a playground. Recreation and Parks Director Alex Posada traced the project’s roots to 2016, when the Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Safety prioritized expanding recreational opportunities to divert youth from gang involvement and unsafe behavior.
Funded through a mix of grants, voter-approved propositions and city and county contributions, the complex is expected to ease the strain on existing facilities and serve as a vital space for families across the city. Construction is now underway, with city leaders hailing it as a transformative investment in Santa Maria’s future.
First-of-its-kind indoor pickleball facility coming to northeast Albuquerque, New Mexico
Upgrade your planning process by exploring fresh insights and best practices in sports facility news.
Florida’s St. Pete Athletic to bring 14 pickleball courts, social club and more to Warehouse Arts District
A new 45,000-square-foot urban country club is taking shape in St. Petersburg, Florida’s Warehouse Arts District, promising to blend elite sports amenities with a vibrant social scene. Located inside The Factory at 680 28th Street South, St. Pete Athletic Paddle & Social will feature 14 pickleball courts, padel courts, table tennis, billiards, three bars and a 6,000-square-foot private social club, all under one roof.
The project, led by local entrepreneurs Reuben Pressman, Graham D’Amico, Jarrett Sabatini and Nathan Stonecipher, aims to create an elevated community hub for sport and connection. Members will enjoy exclusive perks like unlimited open play, private lounges, cold plunges and a boutique fitness studio. A full-service restaurant, led by Sabatini, will offer refined takes on country club classics with QR-code ordering available courtside.
Set for a soft opening in August 2025, the club is already nearing capacity for memberships. Backed by high-profile Tampa Bay investors, St. Pete Athletic will be Florida’s first facility to offer pickleball, padel and table tennis all in one space.
New youth-focused $5M Scheels Sports Complex proposed near Lewis and Clark Park in Sioux City, Iowa
Siouxland Sports Academy has unveiled plans for a $5 million, 65,000-square-foot multi-sport facility in partnership with Siouxland Developers, LLC. The proposed Scheels Sports Complex would be built over 2.3 acres next to Lewis and Clark Park, currently used as a parking lot, pending city approval of the land sale.
The state-of-the-art facility will feature five basketball courts convertible into nine volleyball courts, a batting cage, weight room, dance academy, locker rooms, office space, concessions and patio seating. Designed for year-round use, it will host leagues, tournaments, training programs, coaching clinics and showcase events.
Backed by community and corporate support, including naming rights partner Scheels, the project reflects Siouxland’s rapid sports growth since its first youth facility opened in 2019. City officials praised its potential to serve local youth and boost regional tourism.
Under the agreement, developers will buy the land for $50,000, complete the project by the end of 2026 and receive tax incentives. Groundbreaking is expected later this year, pending strategic partnerships and grant funding.
Goldring Tennis Center prepares to boost Tulane University athletics and community access in New Orleans, Louisiana
Tulane University has officially begun construction on the long-anticipated Goldring Tennis Center, a new $multi-million facility set to transform both its tennis program and community engagement. Located at 200 Broadway on the University Square campus, the center will feature six NCAA regulation tennis courts for Tulane’s men’s and women’s teams and four additional pickleball courts open to the public. Completion is expected by spring 2026.
Funded by the Goldring family, longtime supporters of Tulane, the facility will offer student-athletes a dedicated, on-campus home while enhancing New Orleans’ recreational landscape. Tulane leaders praised the project as a major step in the university’s athletic and academic ascent, echoing recent successes like the 2023 Cotton Bowl win and top-tier graduation rates.
The pickleball courts will be positioned with sound-buffering design to minimize neighborhood impact, while the tennis courts will host matches during daylight hours only. With fan seating, scoreboards and public hours planned, the Goldring Tennis Center represents a landmark addition to Tulane’s growing athletic footprint.
Stay on the pulse of the industry with the most recent developments and ideas in sports facility news.
