A New Indoor Sports Complex Could Be Coming to Dubuque

Like a scoreless soccer match late into the game, competition is heating up between an Arizona-based company and a Dubuque-based nonprofit for the opportunity to bring an improved sporting experience to the Tri-States.

Arizona's Court One LLC submitted a bid to purchase the Dubuque Soccer Complex. The complex is owned by Dubuque Community Schools. Meanwhile, the Dubuque Soccer Alliance — who currently lease the property from the district — has also submitted a bid for the site.

Bids to acquire the current plot of land closed Thursday, August 18th, with Dubuque Community School Board members expected to analyze the offers they've received at a meeting taking place next week.

Both entities have different visions for the current soccer complex. Court One, which is privately owned, has plans for a more-than-100,000 square-foot indoor sports facility, equipped with an air-supported dome. The dome would be erected over two soccer fields at the north end of the complex. The structure would house five basketball courts in addition to several volleyball courts, a soccer field, a baseball/softball field, and batting cages, according to the Telegraph Herald.

Court One's proposal harbors the intention of creating over a dozen full-time jobs and over 100 part-time positions as well.

Meanwhile, the Dubuque Soccer Alliance revealed plans to ask the city of Dubuque for $300,000 for improvements to the existing fields. The Vice President of the alliance has stated that said improvements would revolve around the installation of lights and artificial surfaces.

This has all the makings of a sports movie. A David & Goliath-esque story with the future of recreational youth sports on the line. Court One's Mark Dyer stated that no taxpayer dollars will be used for the company's proposed facility, plus the inclusion of multiple different fields and courts will make the venue a destination for various sports as opposed to just one.

Contrarily, Jon Dunham, the Vice President of the Dubuque Soccer Alliance, makes a compelling counterargument. He expressed concerns that the privately-owned Court One would increase prices for kids/families looking to utilize the courts. The "sweat equity" contributed by the countless volunteers and the families who have put money into the current soccer complex also can't be ignored.

There is no word on how many bids to purchase the property were submitted. Ultimately, the school district could decide not to sell it as well. This is a developing story that will surely be one I watch. Again, it's as compelling as a sports movie.