KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Kalamazoo County board is expected to accept the recommendation of the WestGate site for the new $40 million youth sports facility Tuesday.
County Administrator Kevin Catlin says an ad hoc task force picked that site because there is plenty of space for construction, parking and expansion and of course its location. It’s right off U.S. 131, close to dense populations, near Kalamazoo Central High School, mass transit, hotels, restaurants and future development.
Discover Kalamazoo’s Jane Ghosh says there is a big need for tournament venues in this region for basketball and volleyball, the two most popular youth sports.
She says construction will be funded through a fee on local hotel rooms, and ongoing operations will be funded by weekend tournaments.
A closed session of the Kalamazoo County board is set for Tuesday afternoon to talk about the land purchase.
Once they accept the recommendation, it will be up to the county to establish an authority to operate the facility and sell bonds to fund its construction.
The current goal is to tip off their first game in 2027.
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