Several tournaments already booked at Sportsplex

Build it, and they will come.

That philosophy seems to be playing out with the new Cape Girardeau SportsPlex, which is nearing completion.

City parks and recreation officials said they already have booked several basketball tournaments and a combination boys basketball and girls volleyball tournament.

Organizers of other athletic events also have expressed interest in using the facility.

The $12 million, 121,000-square-foot indoor sports complex taking shape near Interstate 55 is scheduled to open in May.

Parks and recreation director Julia Thompson said Wednesday “a lot of prospecting” is being done as her department ramps up marketing of the facility.

“There is a lot of interest,” she said. “We are pretty pleased.”

The city plans to unveil the SportsPlex the evening of May 4, with a ribbon cutting and open house for the public from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 6, Thompson said.

The first major sporting event is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, May 27 and 28.

Heather Davis, SportsPlex facility supervisor, said details still are being worked out, but the basketball tournament probably will draw 30 to 40 boys and girls teams.

Several basketball tournaments have been booked, she said.

The Rib City Shootout, a basketball tournament for junior-high and high-school teams, is scheduled for June 16 and 17. Some 90 to 100 teams are expected.

The tournament, which previously was held in Dexter, Missouri, has drawn teams in the past from as far away as Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky, Davis said.

Another Rib City tournament is scheduled for July 20 and 21 at the SportsPlex. It will involve 80 to 90 boys basketball and girls volleyball teams, Davis said.

Still another basketball tournament, involving 40 to 50 teams, is scheduled for June 24 and 25 at the SportsPlex.

Davis said the facility will draw not only junior-high and high-school teams, but also younger competitors in grades three to eight.

The younger teams draw more spectators, she added.

The SportsPlex expects to draw different tournaments depending on the time of year.

“Everything kind of has its season,” Davis said.

The facility expects to draw basketball tournaments in the summer. Volleyball tournaments typically will take place from January to May, she said.

Davis said the SportsPlex looks to draw indoor soccer tournaments during the winter months, starting in November.

The SportsPlex has six full-time staff members. In addition, the city plans to hire and train part-time staff this spring.

In addition to basketball, volleyball and soccer tournaments, the SportsPlex can be used as an indoor, winter practice area for baseball and softball teams, Davis said.

The SportsPlex has four retractable batting cages, which are housed above one of the indoor fields.

The facility could be used for Ultimate Frisbee, a sport that combines the games of football and Frisbee, Davis said.

Cape Girardeau’s indoor facility also could host archery competitions, flag-football games and pickleball state championships, she said.

Pickleball is a racket sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis.

Billed as one the largest state-of-the-art indoor sports facilities in the region, the SportsPlex will house two regulation, indoor turf soccer fields and 57,000 square feet of basketball/volleyball courts featuring northern hardwood maple flooring.

The facility will have scoreboards, food and beverage capabilities, a first-class audio system and plenty of spectator seating, according to the facility’s website, capesportsplex.org.

Thompson said anyone interested in booking the sports complex should call her department at (573) 339-6340.

“It has been a great project,” she said. “I am very excited about opening it in May.”

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

2526 Jim Drury Way, Cape Girardeau, Mo.