Ottumwa Schools will support the construction of Ottumwa’s new Indoor Sports Complex project after the board unanimously approved the motion Monday night. The district will commit $750,000 towards the project.
TJ Heller, representing the Southeast Iowa Sports Commission, presented a project update to the Ottumwa Board of Directors on Monday. The project has gone from dream to reality, according to Heller, with the group raising 70% of the total project cost. The proposed project will be located west of The Beach Ottumwa in Sycamore Park. Once opened, the complex will address a critical need for indoor recreation facilities available in the Ottumwa community. The state-of-the-art facility will provide three full-size basketball courts, four volleyball courts, turf soccer field, softball and baseball infields, two batting cages, turf football field, track, as well as concessions and offices.
“It’s easy to support the concept of an indoor sports complex,” said Superintendent Mike McGrory. “There is so much excitement in the community for this project and the benefit to students in a variety of sports will be tremendous.”
The facility will provide Ottumwa students access to indoor facilities for practice during the off season and support our Be The Best efforts. “To try to incorporate these things into our facilities would have cost millions,” said McGrory.
In return for the financial commitment, the district will have priority use of the facility space, with an estimated number of hours per year for a period of 20 years, beginning when the facility opens.
“This will be a great asset to the district,” said Morgan Brown, board president. “I’m glad we’re able to help make it a reality.”