Commission will provide sizable sum toward sports complex

Supporters of a proposed multi-field sports complex in the Three Rivers area cleared a sizable obstacle Tuesday, when members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners allocated financial support toward the concept.
With the exception of Robin Baker, commissioners agreed to provide $2.8 million of $4 million the sports complex steering committee originally sought to purchase additional land and for development related expenses for the proposal. After Tuesday’s meeting, committee representative Jared Hoffmaster said the group has the $1.2 million difference in hand through private donations and pledges.
The proposed complex, estimated to cost at least $3.9 million to develop, is slated for an area in Lockport Township along Enterprise Drive, east of North Main Street. It would be exclusively for youth sports and feature three football, six soccer, four baseball and four softball fields, Hoffmaster said.
Commissioners, whose interest in the proposal centers on the potential economic impact for the county, said the $2.8 million would be provided but with four contingencies.
Those include producing letters of support from neighboring townships and municipal entities and an agreement that their residents will benefit from the facility, providing evidence of the proper placement and property for the intended purpose, and adhering to government-bid procedures in all stages of development and construction.