The new facility also features a trainer’s room and trainers provided during tournaments.
FIRST COVERAGE: New restrooms, concession area at one of Butler County’s busiest parks
The fieldhouse is part of $3.2 million in improvements to the athletic complex, which are a collaborative effort between MetroParks of Butler County, a $1 million sponsorship from and partnership with UC Health/West Chester Hospital, and the State of Ohio via a $500,000 State Capital Grant awarded for the complex’s ability to assist in the economic development of the region.
The cost is nearly $1.4 million for the building and the remainder for the site work, which includes 400 new paved parking spaces, landscaping and all utilities.
The Voice of America Athletic Complex, which opened in late 2014, features 20 natural grass and two multi-purpose lighted turf fields to accommodate almost any type of sporting event played on these types of fields. The complex has hosted soccer, lacrosse, archery, Ultimate Frisbee and Quidditch.
MORE: Spooky Nook developer gets millions in tax credits for Champion Mill rehab
The addition of the fieldhouse augments the complex’s ability to attract top tier tournaments to the complex and serves to further enhance the location’s ability to serve as an economic driver for the local and regional economy, officials said.
“We are extremely proud to serve West Chester Twp. and all of Butler County, and we look forward to the even greater sense of community that the UC Health West Chester Hospital Fieldhouse will bring to this region,” said UC Health President and CEO Dr. Richard Lofgren.
Special events held at Voice of America MetroPark, including the athletic complex, generated more than $12 million dollars of incremental revenue to the area in both 2015 and 2016, revenue that came from visitors who spent the night, ate in the county and shopped in the county, according the Butler County Visitors Bureau.
Numbers from 2017 are not yet available.
MORE: Jungle Jim’s to throw Big Lebowski Blast to commemorate cult classic
The Athletic Field Complex expects to welcome approximately 100,000 athletes and spectators during the 2018 season with the currently scheduled 17 tournaments. This attendance figure does not include fields regularly reserved for practice during the week.
“Thanks to a partnership with UC Health and the support of our local legislators, this project will be a great addition to the Athletic Complex and a positive economic impact to the region,” said Gregory T. Amend, president, MetroParks Board of Park Commissioners.
In addition to UC Health West Chester Hospital, the State of Ohio, and the Butler County Visitors Bureau, other partners at the complex include West Chester Twp., the Ohio Department of Transportation and The National Park Service.
MORE: NEW BUSINESS ALERT: A bar arcade is coming to Hamilton
About the Author
