Central Oregon community members have come together in an ambitious effort to build a multi-sport facility
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Central Oregon Sportsplex Alliance is a coalition of community members, businesses, sports teams and partners that are committed to bringing top-tier sports facilities to the region.
Their plan is to develop a strategy of a multi-sport facility, engaging in multiple turf, multi-sport soccer, lacrosse, rugby, baseball and softball fields, indoor multi-use turf fields, indoor training, ice sports development areas, and possibly commercial sports, retail, hotel and an RV park.
In addition, the CO Sportsplex Alliance would like to create and manage scholarship funds to make sure all Central Oregon youth have access to the best facilities, leagues and training in the region, essentially, leaving no child behind in sports.
Derek Berry, president of the CO Sportsplex Alliance, presented their concept to the Bend Park and Rec Board Tuesday evening.
Berry says it’s certainly a major undertaking – one that, with the proper support, can be achieved.
Julie Brown, Communications & Community Relations Manager for Bend Parks & Rec, said:
“Providing places for recreation to occur in our community is something that we think about every day, and there are opportunities where partnership can be involved with that. It's yet to be seen if this one (the Sportsplex Alliance) really can kind of move forward. But you know, the board was interested in the central-wide aspect of this, and so, I think they're open to more conversation.”
The Central Oregon Sportsplex Alliance says their No. 1 choice, in terms of location, is Redmond at the Fairgrounds and Expo Center.
Many say a project like this would take hundreds of millions of dollars.
Like with any new proposed development, the main issue is funding.
Berry says while no one wants to pay more taxes, they feel the value of investing in parks and more facilities are a benefit to the community. Once feasibility studies are completed, fundraising efforts will begin with private funding, along with public partnerships and support.
