Recently, village leaders in southwest suburban New Lenox have broken ground on a new 100-acre sports complex. The New Lenox Crossroads Sports Complex facility is located near Silver Cross Hospital and will include 29 youth baseball and softball fields, 12 soccer/multi-use fields, a welcome center, a beer garden, batting cages, playground, and concession stands. The complex is expected to be open and ready for tournaments in the spring of 2025.
The $70 million facility has been designed by JLG Architects, who have installed an extensive drainage system to allow the turf fields to be ready for play within minutes after heavy rain. In addition to the sports fields, the complex will also feature a fieldhouse for basketball, volleyball, wrestling, pickleball, and other sports. There will be over 10 acres dedicated to restaurant, retail, and/or hotel use. Officials estimate that the project will create $12 million in economic development for New Lenox in its first year, and $20 million by year 3. Once fully operational, the complex is expected to produce more than $34 million in annual economic activity, with 1 million visitors each year.
Todd Feurer is a web producer at CBS News Chicago who has previously written for WBBM Newsradio