How Long Did Phase 1 of the Art Van Sports Complex Take to Complete
West Michigan Sports Commission Officially Opens New Sports Circuitous
8 Aug, 2014
Stage 1 Consummate for $vii.5 One thousand thousand Championship Baseball-Softball Complex; Tournament Schedule Almost Booked for 2015
Play Brawl! These two words were heard this evening – along with the National Canticle, a drumline, fireworks and other signs of commemoration – as representatives from the West Michigan Sports Commission, Art Van Furniture and the "Everyone Wins" fundraising committee officially opened the new championship-quotient Art Van Sports Circuitous at 10 Mile Road in Plainfield Township in an invitation-simply Chiliad Opening celebration effect.
"This night, we celebrate 7 years of planning a field of dreams that is now a reality – and information technology was possible because of the generosity of our West Michigan community," said Mike Guswiler, President of the Westward Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) who adult this complex as i of its signature projects.
Guswiler, forth with WMSC Lath Chairman Dick VanderMolen, Fine art Van Article of furniture Vice President of Merchandising David Van Elslander, and "Everyone Wins" Fundraising Co-Chair Arend (Don) Lubbers, spoke to a crowd of a couple hundred invited guests at the Grand Opening celebration that opened with tours of the circuitous, ballpark-themed food, the Thou Rapids Griffins drumline and other special activities. The formal program ended with singing the National Anthem, throwing offset pitches, skydiving by All Veteran Group Founder Mike Elliott, and shooting fireworks over Championship Field. Attendees besides watched competitions on the various fields (including the Miracle Field) by local youth baseball game and softball travelling teams and Game Day Usa Baseball All-Stars.
"This evening is all nearly thanking those who fabricated this solar day possible," said Lubbers, who co-chaired the "Everyone Wins" entrada with Dan DeVos that raised well-nigh $7 million from the public and individual sector to consummate Phase i of the project. "But information technology's also nigh letting y'all know that your investment volition pay dividends dorsum to the community as thousands of brawl players and their parents come up to our customs and shop at our stores, swallow in our restaurants and sleep in our hotels."
David Van Elslander took the podium and shared why his family stepped frontwards with a lead gift that gave Art Van Piece of furniture naming rights to the circuitous, "Art Van Article of furniture is very proud to be associated with something that teaches children near subject field and teamwork, creates wonderful memories for families and supports the local economy."
Complex to Serve every bit Economical Goad for Due west Michigan
The idea for the Art Van Sports Circuitous was conceived in 2007 when the West Michigan Sports Committee was first formed, supporting its mission of promoting the region every bit a premier venue for hosting youth and amateur sports to enhance the region'southward economic system and quality of life. Part of that mission includes assuring that the community has tournament-quality venues.
"With $8 billion spent annually on youth and amateur sports, it made sense to build a premier baseball/softball circuitous that would bring dollars to our region from travel teams looking for venues in the Midwest," said Guswiler. "Nosotros congenital something unlike whatsoever circuitous in West Michigan – and when Phase 2 is complete, it will be one of only a few like it in the Midwest."
The complex is estimated to attract more than than 75 events and 135,000 visitors in its first 5 years of functioning, with an economic impact for Kent County of approximately $20 one thousand thousand, including average annual hotel revenues of $ane.5 million.
Basis was cleaved on the complex in October 2012, with builder house Progressive AE and construction direction firm Owen-Ames-Kimball Company completing Phase 1 less than two years after and alee of schedule. The $7.5 million project toll for Phase 1 was raised through the "Everyone Wins" campaign co-chaired past Arend Lubbers and Dan DeVos as well as honorary chairs Richard DeVos and Peter Secchia, with fundraising supported exclusively through philanthropic donations.
Phase ane includes the following features:
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8 baseball/softball fields grouped in two "quads," each with a concession and restroom building; fields characteristic a pegged base system and flexible fencing to adjust various sizes
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Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation Championship Field - a 385-foot fenced field with seating for 1,000 in covered grandstands, plus a press box, concession area and restrooms
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Donor Plaza with engraved bronze inlaid bats, baseballs and softballs to support the circuitous
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Nate Hurwitz Miracle League Field with custom-designed, rubberized turf to conform wheelchairs, walkers and other aid devices
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Parking for more than than 400 vehicles
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Side by side sporting facilities in Plainfield Township Premier Park, including:
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W Michigan Archery Center with indoor, Olympic-style archery range
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Rock City BMX Merrell Trails featuring ten-plus miles of mount-biking trails
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Multi-utilise soccer fields and a sledding hill
Tournament Calendar Filling Upwards; Fundraising Continues for Phase 2: While the Art Van Sports Complex may have just opened officially, complex manager Bryan Baar has been booking tournaments and events for the remainder of 2014 plus 2015. The Michigan State University'southward men'south baseball team volition play an intersquad game Sept. xiii at 1 p.m. that is costless and open to the public. Other 2014 events include an All-Star Weekend baseball/softball tournament Aug. 2-3 presented by DeMarini Sports, Inc. in which approximately 250 youth will participate; and a USSSA Midwest Labor Day baseball tournament. Baar has already booked 23 of 27 playable weekends of 2015 with baseball and softball tournaments.
"If the 2015 tournament schedule is whatever indication, the Art Van Sports Complex is in high demand and already proving to be a success," said Guswiler. "We hope to move full-steam ahead with construction of Stage two to keep up with the need, equally soon as we heighten the necessary funds."
The second stage of the project is planned later on another $three.5 million is raised, which should include:
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Iv more baseball/softball fields with supporting concession and restroom buildin
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Championship softball field with press box Warm-upward areas and picnic shelters
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Commemorative bricks continue to exist sold throughout Phase 2 and can be purchased past contacting the West Michigan Sports Committee at 616-233-3560 .
The Due west Michigan Sports Commission, a non-profit 501 (c) (3), identifies, secures and hosts a various level of youth and apprentice sporting events to positively impact the region's economic system and quality of life. Since its inception in 2007, the WMSC has booked 370 sporting events and tournaments attracting 540,000 athletes and visitors, generating more $175 million in directly visitor spending. Visit westmisports.com for more information.
Virtually the Art Van Sports Circuitous: A flagship projection of the West Michigan Sports Commission, the Art Van Sports Complex is a championship-quotient baseball game/softball complex near Rockford featuring eight baseball and softball fields, including the 385-foot fenced Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation Title Field with covered grandstands to seat 1,000 spectators; Nate Hurwitz Miracle League Field for children with disabilities; warm-up areas, restrooms, concessions and maintenance building; and parking for more than 400 vehicles. Upon completion of Phase 2, this state-of-the-fine art facility will feature 12 fields – serving as the only i of its kind in Westward Michigan and one of only a few in the Midwest. Visit artvansportscomplex.com for more information.
Source: https://www.sportsdestinations.com/destinations/michigan/news/west-michigan-sports-commission-officially-opens-n-8008