Burlington's The Courts could be open by June

The Courts

I think there is a demand for sports tourism and they're been some studies done that shows that continues to grow with more and more communities getting facilities. And you won't see many that have facilities attached to anything like Fun City with various hotels and gaming access. We'll be a little unique in that space.”

Gary Hoyer, CEO Great River Entertainment

BURLINGTON -The $4.5 million The Courts project on the Fun City property in Burlington may open as soon as June.

The project, which is going up on the southeast corner of Fun City, Burlington's hotel and gaming complex, will be a state-of-the-art indoor court and recreation center aimed at increased space for local sports clubs and organizations as well as outside sports tourism.

Great River Entertainment CEO Gary Hoyer said studies have shown that sports tourism is an expanding industry and a local  non-profit organization, is working to bring those dollars to the area.

"This is a partnership with the Greater Burlington Area Sports facility's non-profit board. That's the board that opened and operates The Turf building by the rec plex," Hoyer said.

"They're putting up this facility and they have a dedicated staff that manages the tournaments and does the bookings."

Hoyer said the facility will be accessible for area sports teams and clubs for practice times and tournaments for a minor fee.

Clubs from youth levels up to colleges will be able to hold practices and tournaments at The Courts and Hoyer said plans are for the facility to  be in use most of the time.

He said The Turf usually has practices booked from about 5:30 a.m. to almost 11 p.m. daily and The Courts could see the same type of traffic.

Local and area subcontractors are doing the work under the management of a company called Build To Suit out of Quad Cities. Hoyer said there have been a few hiccups along the process.

"We had some  issues trying to get electrical switching equipment and things related to it that have caused some of the foundation work to get delayed," he said.

"But then we found a huge underground tank that no one knew was there and had to remove it. But aside from that we're still forecasting a June opening."

He said if workers can get the facility enclosed by January they will hit that opening date.

"It's coming along well. The steel is going up and the next thing will be the walls and roof. They are projecting to be fully enclosed by January 10th and if that can be accomplished without terrible weather events then our opening day should be on target," he said.

The facility is three stories tall and will house three collegiate-size basketball courts with dual functionality  for six youth size basketball courts or multiple volleyball courts.

"We've looked at all sorts of things from badminton to wrestling to whatever somebody wants to attract a tournament to," Hoyer said.

There is also four new pickleball courts being built on the opposite side of the building with relative storage areas and restrooms.

He said building the facility near the hotel, family centers, and gaming, positions the Burlington complex well in competing for tournaments.

"I think there is a demand for sports tourism and there have been some studies done that show that industry continues to grow with more and more communities getting facilities," he said

"And you won't see many that have facilities attached to anything like Fun City with various hotels and gaming access. We'll be a little unique in that space."