The design of Sioux Center’s planned indoor turf facility is focused on serving a variety of users in this new year-round space. The facility, planned for 2022 construction, is being designed to allow for activities like youth and adult soccer, recreational programs/activities, softball games and practice, baseball practice, football practice, community wellness programs, physical therapy, strength and agility programs, and rentals. It is estimated the facility will see more than 200,000 visitors per year.
City staff shared the current design concept for the facility, which is planned just east of the All Seasons Center parking lot in the current Heritage Village area, with the City Council on Monday.
The concept shows a 470-foot by 250-foot air-inflated dome connected to a 8,000 square foot “head end” building, which will face 7th Street NE and serve as the entrance to the indoor turf facility.
“We looked at the placement for this, with aesthetics, trees, and access. The head end building will be along the south side of the facility and include changing rooms, rest rooms, a lobby, concessions, and office space,” City Manager Scott Wynja shared. “The side that connects to the dome will be glass, so people can look in and see what’s happening on the turf.
The concept showed a variety of field layouts that will be possible inside the turf facility, ranging from two softball areas, three smaller youth soccer fields, a full-length football field, or a full-length soccer fields. The space could be used for multiple purposes at the same time. Planners also extended the length of the dome by about 20 feet to allow for seating areas along the different field arrangements.
“We knew with various rec programs we’ll have parents and grandparents who want to be on the turf, watching the games,” Wynja said.
A portion of the top of the dome will be designed to allow natural light to filter in. The facility will be lit by LED lights for energy efficiency. A storage room will be on the east end for athletic equipment and movable seating, and this will also allow for emergency responder access if needed.
The city council received this report and approved applying for an Enhance Iowa – Community Attraction and Tourism Grant for this project. The city has previously sought CAT Grant dollars for local projects including Terrace View Events Center, the Sioux Center Public Library, and the All Seasons Center.