Dordt University Unveils New Community Athletic Complex

January 23, 2023 / Athletic Administration • Athletic Leader • Facilities

Seven inches of snow didn’t stop fans and members of the Sioux Center, IA community from welcoming its latest sports complex from Dordt University.

The new facility will not only host the Dordt athletics teams but also its intramural and recreational activities. Additionally, the space will be made available to the public for adult and youth leagues.

A recent story from SiouxlandNews.com highlighted the ribbon-cutting ceremony to announce Dordt University’s 8,000-sq. ft. athletic facility.

Below is an excerpt from the SiouxlandNews.com story.

“It’s partly about Dordt University and their ability to have athletic practices here but it’s also about public recreation and inviting our citizens [to use the facility],” said David Krahling, mayor of Sioux Center. “And it’s also about bringing people in from the surrounding area to enjoy the facility. We expect a combination of those things to help us draw more people into town, things including scheduled tournaments and that sort of thing. So there are lots of opportunities for people to come and visit Sioux Center.”

“Our athletic teams will practice in here, our students will come in here to do intramural activities and recreation activities. But that’s less than half our facility, the rest is for our community: for people to come in and have walking memberships, we have Tuesday night soccer tournaments for the adults in the community, we’ll have Saturday morning soccer in here; it’s not just for Dordt University it’s for the entire community,” said Erik Hoekstra, President of Dordt University.

Designed to host multiple types of athletic events, the city is estimating 200,000 visitors a year to the new facility; which would help give a boost to the Sioux Center economy as well.

“People that come to visit for [sports and recreation activities at the facility] might stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants, fill up their cars at our gas stations, and participate in other retail activities. So anything that brings people to town are generally a good thing for economic development,” said Krahling.

» ALSO SEE: VATA Holds Annual Conference Highlights Importance of ATCs at All Levels

While Friday afternoon was the official ribbon-cutting day, 7 inches of snow over the week pushed some teams and events into the facility a little early. But as speakers mentioned prior to the cutting, the purpose of the complex is to be used.

“I was here Tuesday night and to see 400 people in here playing soccer; many of them were new to America, many were new to Sioux Center, it was just an unbelievable blessing,” said Hoekstra. “That’s really where the joy is. Ribbon cuttings are great but to see this facility in use is my real joy.”

To read the full story from SiouxlandNews.com, click here.

athletic leader

Dordt University Unveils New Community Athletic Complex

» ALSO SEE: VATA Holds Annual Conference Highlights Importance of ATCs at All Levels

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