Genesis Health Clubs announced on June 24 it has committed an additional $15 million for its Goddard Sports Complex project. The funds are in addition to a previous $60 million already invested in the project.
Construction is underway on the complex, which includes the largest indoor waterpark and hotel in a 180-mile radius, a competitive natatorium, an upscale health club and a preschool. The new features will proceed in phases, with some elements beginning immediately and some still one to two years on the horizon.
The new funds will be used in part to build five outdoor turf baseball/softball fields, in addition to the five already up and running weekly regional baseball tournaments. According to Rodney Steven II, the president and owner of Genesis Health Clubs, the added fields were a necessity.
“We couldn’t keep up with the demand. It’s already the largest all-turf competitive baseball complex in a multi-state area, and we’ve got it packed every weekend with tournaments booked out months in advance and in some cases one to two years,” said Steven, in a statement. “The demand caught us off guard, to say the least. Now we’ll hopefully be able to keep up with these additional five fields and a goal to add another hotel to service all the families. It will be one of the largest all-turf baseball facilities in the Midwest and one of the largest in the country.”
More surprising is the heavy investment in sand sports, with sand courts, a large sand field, and an upscale sports bar to act as a hub. “There’s nothing like this anywhere in the region — it will be a place where people can eat, drink and enjoy recreational sand sports with friends,” said Steven. “There will be all sorts of sand sports: soccer, football, tennis, pickleball, matkot, footvolley and more. We expect all sorts of events and leagues to bring people in from all over. This will also be the only bar and full-service restaurant in Goddard. It’s long overdue.”
Asked about future plans for the facility, Steven communicated a few details and hinted at more.
“Right now, we’re speeding along on construction of the hotel, health club, preschool and waterpark,” said Steven. “We expect to unveil the waterpark brand and theme very soon. I can’t talk much about that yet, but I can promise it will be a unique and fun presentation for a show-stopping waterpark attraction. Beyond that, we’re looking at more uses for all the land out there. There’s so much potential to turn this into a sports complex unparalleled in the entire nation. We’re just getting started.”
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Taylor Gabhart is the editor of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at taylor@peakemedia.com.
