Listen to this articleA series of bond-financed projects is helping the Midwest City in its ongoing efforts to further establish itself as a premier sports and recreation location.
The city's new Multi-Athletic Complex recently completed its 10th tournament weekend since February. The complex features three turf fields with an interchangeable field design, allowing for switching between softball/baseball, soccer, football and flag football.
Between tournament rentals and community league play, city officials say inquiries about its use have been overwhelming since it opened in April 2022.
Three additional fields are under construction to meet this demand as part of Phase 2.
“We need them as soon as we can get them,” said Josh Ryan, director of communications and marketing for Midwest City, but no timeline was available for their completion.
In the second phase, there is also a new central concession stand with direct plumbing. Ryan said once all six fields are up and running, his location will serve them comfortably.
The complex cost about $7 million to design and build.
The MAC is just one of a series of projects involved in a $21.6 million plan to invest in parks, recreation and sports facilities funded through the Moving Forward 2018 General Obligation Bond approved in August of that year.
With an influx of tournaments, athletes and families comes the need for more parking. A 130-space parking lot that mirrors the existing one on SE 29th Street is nearing completion.
Ryan said the city is motivated to establish itself as a sports hub.
“Our community has been crying out to us and saying 'we want this,' and that's why they passed the bond issue in 2018,” Ryan said. “We want better facilities for our kids to play competitive sports in eastern Oklahoma County.”
The youth and adult baseball and softball teams also benefit from recent bond-financed renovations. Marion C. Reed Ballpark has hosted competitive baseball and softball tournaments for decades, but following the completion of a $2 million project in July 2022, it now has five total turf and grass fields, new fencing and ADA-accessible seating .
Ryan said those who haven't visited the park in a few years will notice an improved experience for both spectators and players.
The Midwest City posted a 13% year-over-year increase in hotel and motel gross receipts in March. Ryan suspects that the sports tourism movement has played a large role in this rise.
Over the four tournament weekends spanning late March through the first half of April, the city saw a 4.83 percent year-over-year increase in sales tax, records show. However, the city's Chief Financial Officer, Tiatia Cromar, said some of that increase could be attributed to inflation.
As part of Phase 3 of the investment plan, more than $4 million in bond funds were paid for the new WP Bill Atkinson Park just north of Town Center Plaza. Ryan said the park is located where the city's original municipal buildings once stood.
The park opened in October 2022, but a grand opening celebration will be held Saturday in conjunction with the Covered in Color art festival and sidewalk chalk contest.
Also part of the package was a $5.1 million renovation of the John Conrad Golf Course, which reopens in July 2022. The course's complete redesign has been well received, Ryan said.
“It was very popular,” Ryan said. “Players really find the greens a challenge that they like to tackle. A lot of golfers need a little bit of forgiveness on the fairways and then want to be challenged when they're close to the green.”
Two new soccer fields at Midwest City Soccer Club are in the works. Brandon Bundy, director of engineering and construction services for Midwest City, said the improvements include a new field configuration.
“We're basically going to create a huge field that can be reconfigured depending on the age (of the players) and the tournament,” Bundy said.
Bundy said the city plans to have the soccer facility ready for the first tournaments of next season in September.
The bidding process is underway for upgrades to Mid America Park, the final project in the bond package. Bundy said the first three additions planned are a parking lot, a pavilion and playground, and a new and improved disc golf course.
“We plan to play tournaments, which we don't have right now,” Bundy said.
Bundy expects to begin construction in the fall, with a completion time of spring 2024.
