Sports complex committee seek additional land

Supporters of a proposed 17-field sports development in the Three Rivers area are expected to find out later this month whether St. Joseph County officials will consider sooner than later helping fund the purchase of a 40-acre parcel to support the potential complex.
Jared Hoffmaster, representing the steering committee assembled to plan and promote the youth sports complex, told commissioners the group wishes to receive before the end of the month an allocation the county previously agreed to offer.
Hoffmaster explained that the group has an exclusive option on 40 acres that complement an adjacent 40 acres to the north it has already purchased for the proposed development. The option expires at the end of September, Hoffmaster said.
The proposed complex – estimated to cost about $3.9 million to develop – is slated for an area in Lockport Township along Enterprise Drive, east of North Main Street.
County officials, following an executive session, agreed to add Hoffmaster’s request to their executive committee meeting, which takes place at 8 a.m. Thursday next week.
Hoffmaster said the asking price for the 40-acre parcel is $400,000.
He said if all goes well, groundbreaking on the sportsplex could take place in the spring.