Inside Look at the New Mishawaka Fieldhouse Regional Sports Facility Opening Day

“The Grand Opening of the Mishawaka Fieldhouse: A Game Changer for Sports Tourism”

The excitement was palpable as the doors of the Mishawaka Fieldhouse regional sports complex opened on Wednesday, Oct. 23. This state-of-the-art facility, spanning 220,000 square feet, boasts 10 basketball courts, 19 volleyball courts, a turf field, and 12 pickleball courts. The brainchild of developer Andy Card, founder of Card & Associates, the Fieldhouse is set to become a hub for sports tournaments and activities, drawing athletes from near and far.

Mishawaka Mayor Dave Wood, alongside Andy Card, welcomed guests and expressed high hopes for the impact the Fieldhouse will have on the local economy. With the ability to accommodate a large number of teams and events, the facility is expected to bring in sports tourists who will patronize local hotels, restaurants, and retail establishments.

Card emphasized that the Mishawaka Fieldhouse sets a new standard for youth sports facilities, not just in the United States, but globally. As the facility gears up for its soft opening, anticipation is high for the tournaments and events that will soon fill its courts and fields.

One of the first events scheduled at the Fieldhouse was an adult volleyball league, with a 419-participant pickleball tournament set to follow. Jeff Jarnecke, executive director of Visit South Bend Mishawaka, highlighted the potential for the Fieldhouse to attract thousands of hotel room nights through out-of-town participants.

The journey to the opening of the Mishawaka Fieldhouse was a long one, with a public-private partnership and various funding sources coming together over the past eight years to make the $38 million facility a reality. The vision for a regional sports complex began over a decade ago, and now, it stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and community investment.

The economic impact of sports tourism in the South Bend-Mishawaka area is already significant, with youth sports events generating thousands of hotel room nights and millions of dollars in local spending. The Fieldhouse represents a turning point, where the community can now reap the benefits of hosting tournaments and attracting visitors from far and wide.

Mayor Wood summed it up best when he called the Mishawaka Fieldhouse a “game changer” for the local economy. As the facility opens its doors to athletes, spectators, and sports enthusiasts, the promise of a thriving sports tourism industry in Mishawaka is brighter than ever.

For more information on the Mishawaka Fieldhouse and upcoming events, contact Tribune staff writer Greg Swiercz at gswiercz@sbtinfo.com. Get ready to witness the transformation of Mishawaka into a premier destination for sports and recreation!