Sports Complex Idea Forms In Manhattan

MANHATTAN, IL — The idea of building a sports complex on land recently purchased from the Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 has been brought up by Manhattan Park District officials. The Park District was recently awarded a $701,500 bid to buy 78 acres of land on the south side of Smith Road, east of Cedar Road in Manhattan.

Manhattan Park District Executive Director Julie Popp said 17 of the acres are already developed into a turf area that has been used by the Manhattan Soccer Association for the last seven years through an agreement with LW 210. With the Park District now owning that and a significant portion of adjoining land, a long-term possibility exists for a sports complex to be built utilizing the entire 78 acres.

“I think it (a sports complex) is in the best interest for the community,” Popp said, indicating Manhattan’s need for a centralized place where sporting events would take place. “With sports complexes, there really aren’t enough of them. Being located where this is, it offers the chance to bring in out-of-district revenue.”

READ MORE: Manhattan Park District’s Bid To Buy LW 210 Land Awarded

In the short-term, the 61 acres not used by the Soccer Association will remain as farmland.

But proposals are beginning to come in from planners on a master plan that would include the sports complex for the area. Popp said multiple meetings will be called to engage the community on the project and a community survey is also expected to be issued this year.

“We want the community to be involved in the process,” she said.

The proposals for what the Park District is currently referring to as just “Smith Fields” are expected to be in by the end of July, when the first meeting will be planned.

Popp said it was the Soccer Association’s use of the land that “opened up a vision” for the Park Board to foresee a larger use. The Park District will confer with the Soccer Association and other groups who may be able to use the already developed space that includes T-ball fields, a soccer field and parking lot on how that will be used in the short-term, Popp said.

The First Bank of Manhattan purchased the entire 15-year bond issue for the purchase which carries the “AA-/Stable rating and outlook, with interest rates ranging from 1.50% in 2019 to 3.50% in the 2033 final maturity," according to a news release from the Park District.

The district’s bond issue was rated by Standard & Poor’s, who affirmed the “AA- /Stable outlook that exists on the other debt of the District issued for the Baker/Koren Round Barn Farm Park project in 2011."

“First Bank of Manhattan appreciates the opportunity to participate with the District on this project. In the past several years we have worked with them on the Baker/Koren Round Barn Farm Park, the Recreation Center on State Street and now on this latest park acquisition. We are proud to assist the District in its mission of providing recreational facilities and programs for residents of all ages,” Bank President Jack Kramer said.

The Smith Road land swap was one of four approved sales by LW 210 this year. Among the other deals involving the district was with Woodman’s Food Markets for land near 191st and Harlem in Tinley Park.

“This was a very good opportunity to secure some valuable land,” Popp said of the opportunity to make the deal for the Smith Road land. “It’s exciting to have a vision and see the purpose of securing something for the future. Eventually it will become more difficult for the community to acquire land in a tough market.”

Image: Smith and Cedar road in Manhattan / via Google Maps screenshot