$100 million sports complex planned for Gluckstadt
GLUCKSTADT — Developers will present a $100 million sports facility proposal to city officials at a specially called meeting tonight.
828 Sports Ventures and Turn Key Properties have agreed on a 43-acre site for the future home of the proposed travel sports destination, they announced Tuesday, dubbing the project the Gluckstadt MegaDome Sports Complex.
According to Gluckstadt Mayor Walter C. Morrison, the project will be located on the east side of the city off Highway 51. He said he would let the developers get more specific at a planned public presentation of the project.
Representatives of the developers are scheduled to speak and present details on the Gluckstadt MegaDome proposal at the meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen at 6:00 p.m. today (Thursday).
Morrison said he looks forward to hearing what the developers have to say.
“I believe it is my job and the board of aldermen’s job to listen to anyone who wants to do business in the city,” Morrison said.
He went on to say that the development has not asked for any public funds at this point and said that is something he would likely voice his opposition to.
“I would not recommend the city make a financial commitment to this project at this time,” Morrison said. noting that he has already told the developers that and said they said “We don’t need your money.”
Morrison said he did believe the project would have a positive impact on the city.
“If it comes to fruition I think it will be a great thing,” Morrison said. “We will see what happens.”
The land belongs to Stuart and Katie Warren who are Gluckstadt residents and owners of Turn Key Properties in Madison.
Developers say the spot is the I-55 and I-20 corridor. Their facility will benefit from being a six-hour drive time from all the major Southern markets of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee and Texas.
The facility will feature “a multitude” of amenities. These include indoor courts for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball, as well as fields for football, baseball, and softball. Developers say swimming pools, meeting space, an on-site hotel, unique Mississippi-curated restaurants, and other amenities will be offered.
Developers project the facility will create upwards of $50 million in annual economic impact for the Gluckstadt community, as well as the Central Mississippi region as a whole.