Rochester City Council Approves Design for $65 Million Outdoor Portion of Future Sports Complex

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Rochester City Council has signed off on the proposed design for the outdoor phase of a massive sports and recreation complex. 

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The vote, held Monday night, did not receive unanimous approval from the elected leaders. 

Funding for the $65 million outdoor portion of the facility will come from money raised by the city’s sales tax, which voters approved extending in November of 2023. 

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Rochester City Council Approves Design for Outdoor Portion of Sports Complex on 5-2 Vote

The future sports complex will be located on a 160-acre plot of land east of the Shoppes on Maine in southeast Rochester. City leaders approved buying the site from Seneca Foods for $5 million in February. 

The now-approved design for the outdoor component of the complex calls for eight artificial turf baseball/softball fields, two artificial turf soccer fields and a dozen pickleball courts. 

City of Rochester Recreation & Facilities Division Head Ben Boldt told council members that the artificial surface will extend the seasons for the fields by 4-6 weeks. 

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The plans also include a central gathering space with a restroom/concessions building, regional park playground and plaza area. The complex will also feature walking and biking trails that will connect with the Willow Creek Trail. 

Council approval also means crews can prepare construction of the indoor amenities at the massive complex. Funding for construction and maintenance of the indoor phase of the project has not yet been determined. 

The city council approved the design on a 5-2 vote. Second Ward Councilmember Nick Miller and Sixth Ward Councilmember Dan Doering were the nay votes. 

Both expressed concerns about outdoor facilities not being accessible to the community. 

Construction of the outdoor facility is scheduled to start in November with an opening date set for May of 2027.