New Lenox officials have commenced construction on the $70 million Crossroads Sports Complex, which is slated for completion in just 13 months, transforming a 100-acre site near Interstates 355 and 80. The sprawling complex will boast an impressive array of facilities, including 29 youth baseball or softball fields or 12 soccer or multiuse fields, complemented by a welcome center, three full-service concession stands, a beer garden, playground, and 15 batting cages.
Matt Grusecki, president of Northern Builders, emphasized the complex’s state-of-the-art drainage system, which will enable the turf fields to be ready for play swiftly after rainfall. Moreover, the fields will be adjustable in size, catering to athletes of all ages and skill levels. Grusecki highlighted the project’s colossal size, its square footage comparable to that of Chicago’s Willis Tower.
The Crossroads Sports Complex is projected to attract tournaments featuring teams from across the Midwest, commencing in spring 2025. With an anticipated influx of nearly 500,000 visitors in its initial years and over 1 million annually upon full operation, the complex is poised to generate a substantial economic impact.
New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating that it has no comparable facilities within a 100-mile radius. The next phase of development includes a $30 million, 140,000-square-foot fieldhouse dedicated to indoor sports such as basketball, volleyball, and wrestling.
The village is actively exploring opportunities to attract hotels, restaurants, and other retail businesses to the approximately 12 acres of land adjacent to the sports complex. An additional 300 acres on the north side of Route 6 is also earmarked for potential commercial development to complement the complex.
The project, along with the future fieldhouse, will be financed through tax revenue generated from the development itself. The economic benefits are projected to be substantial, with $12 million anticipated in revenue during the first year, rising to $20 million by the third year. Upon completion of the entire project, it is estimated to generate over $34 million annually.
Village officials have declared the sports complex to be the optimal utilization of the site, rejecting alternative development proposals, such as warehouses, that could have posed compatibility issues with the neighboring Silver Cross Hospital. The village engaged in comprehensive discussions with hospital representatives throughout the planning process and secured their support for the project.
The Crossroads Sports Complex represents a collaborative effort involving Northern Builders, JLG Architects, Spaceco civil engineering and surveying, Bolton & Menk landscape architects, Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd., and The Sports Facilities Companies. The development has already garnered attention at the largest youth sports trade show in Portland, Oregon, where it is being actively promoted. Executive vice president of The Sports Facilities Companies, Mike Kelly, expressed confidence that the complex will rapidly gain recognition as a premier sports destination in the Midwest.
