Can Begin before 2019     

By Bob Lindsey

All elements are in place for the final approval for the game-changing mega sports complex, POWERplex at the site of the St. Louis Outlet Mall. The Hazelwood City Council gave its unanimous and strong vocal support at its September meeting for the redevelopment of the former Mills Mall for the huge sports complex, described as the largest youth sports complex in the country.

All sides in the financing should be in place when the city council takes a final vote for approval at the Oct. 17^th council meeting. Construction should start before the end of the year with the first tournament by next spring. Developer Dan Buck of Big Sports Properties estimates more than 2.6 million visitors annually, providing a major economic boom for not only North County, but the entire metro area.

The resolution passed by city council on Sept. 12 states that Big Sports Complex will provide $49.6 million from bank financing, the St. Louis Cardinals and several investors. The St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission would provide $6 million and St. Louis County will put up $2 million for roads, parking lots and sidewalks. Hazelwood’s portions of the estimated $62 million project is $5.6 million loan to Big Sports.

The plans call for the construction of a dome (top right of photo) with multiple playing fields capable of hosting simultaneous baseball, basketball, volleyball and softball games. Others showing interest in this project included Larry Hughes Basketball Academy, Gateway PGA and the St. Louis Baseball and Softball Foundation. Bridgeton was included because that city has a softball/baseball complex, considered one of the best in the metro area, that would be part of Big Sports softball and baseball. The Bridgeton Sports complex is viewed as a natural tie-in because it’s located just across Highway 370 and St. Louis Outlet Center. The Ice Zone, current practice facility for the St. Louis Blues, will remain and be part of the Sports Complex even before the Blues move to their new ice complex. The Regal 8 movie theater will remain as a viable part of the complex and some new restaurants are expected to open.

Big Sports has heard public inquiries about the mall walking and restaurant options both on the property and the surrounding lots. Amanda Schomaker, director of marketing for Big Sports, said that being on site she has given her an opportunity to chat with many of people who walk the campus. “They are concerned of the future of mall walking,” she said adding that ‘We fully intend to invite them to walk the campus when we are up and running.” She said there will be coffee shops and other places for meeting as well. “During construction, for safety reasons, we will probably close off sections for the mall walkers temporaily.”

Big Sports complex had been considered by Chesterfield originally, but the city dropped out of the competition last year, opening the way for consideration of Hazelwood/Bridgeton and St. Peters. Both became the finalists for the development after beating out 11 other communities. Most new construction could start by Spring at the outlet mall site in Hazelwood.

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