Raufeisen Development announces the funding of a feasibility study regarding the development of a Regional Sports Facility to be located at Spencer Creek, a 117 acre mixed use development located at the Northeast corner of Middle Road and Interstate 80, Bettendorf, Iowa.
The proposed 384,000 square foot facility consists of 7 modules that can be built in phases. Included is an Olympic size pool with a diving well that will also be used as an indoor water board training facility and two completes sheets of ice used for hockey. The center module main arena will be used for tournament finals in basketball, wrestling, volleyball, gymnastics, cheerleading and dance contests. Its seating capacity is 4500 for spectators. The other three modules will be flexible in uses, which include the activities listed above as well as track & field, tennis, badminton and more.
Sports Facility Advisors, a national leader in the analysis and management of sports facilities and athletic tournaments has been contracted to analyze the financial feasibility, analyze economic impact and phasing of the project. Their recommendation will come within 90 days.
Steve Van Dyke, Director, Economic Development, City of Bettendorf, IA says: "We are so proud to be working in partnership with Raufeisen Development concerning Spencer Creek Technology Park, especially as it relates to the potential for an Indoor Sports Complex. Creating an environment here in the Quad Cities that encourages a healthy lifestyle along with a well educated, hard working, diverse population base is our top priority."
Raufeisen Development has been working closely with the Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau to identify facility needs in the Quad Cities that would attract regional sporting tournaments and events. These events can bring 3500 to 6000+ athletes to the Quad Cities per event with an anticipated 26 events minimum annually. The financial impact to the region could be tens of millions of dollars because of hotel rooms, restaurants, shopping and tourist attractions.
Joe Taylor of The Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau said, "Sports remains a growing segment of the tourist industry. The Regional Sports Complex will bring many new opportunities to the Quad Cities and the timing is right. Many communities are seeing a value of sports tourism and investing in sports complexes to an ever growing degree."
Todd Raufeisen says "this facility could be used by local school districts, community and private colleges. Local school districts and local colleges need new facilities but financial pressures make it cost prohibitive. A sports facility of this nature could provide top notch athletic training resources at a fraction of the cost."
Raufeisen states that regional sports tournaments are big business and economic engines. Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Rockford, Illinois are two communities that have announced the same type of feasibility studies. Raufeisen feels that the Quad Cities needs to "get in the game". This location is centralized and strategically located on interstate 80. It has the ability to draw from Chicago to Minneapolis to Omaha to St. Louis.
At this stage, a project of this size, scope and cost is big dream; however, if you look at the potential economic impact to the region it could be just what the Quad Cities needs. If we don't try, we could be traveling to Cedar Rapids or Rockford with our kids and spending our dollars to spur their growth and economy - Let's keep it in the Quad Cities!
