A preliminary plan for the proposed Seth Ernst Memorial Sports Complex provides a more detailed look at what could eventually be built on approximately 26 acres near Interstate 80 in Geneseo.
The concept, prepared by Hutchison Engineering and dated July 20, shows five irrigated soccer fields, pickleball courts, a playground, splash pad, concessions and restroom facilities, shelters and approximately 490 parking spaces.
The details follow Tuesday's presentation to the Geneseo City Council, when Dave and Betty Ernst discussed donating approximately 26 acres for the Seth Ernst Memorial Sports Complex. The property is located near I-80 and the city's wind turbines. No construction plan or city funding commitment was approved at that meeting.
The new details also provide an early estimate of the project's potential cost. Notes provided to The Current indicate the complex, as currently planned, is estimated at approximately $6 million to $7 million and is intended to be privately funded.
Five Soccer Fields Anchor the Plan
Soccer would occupy much of the proposed complex.
The preliminary plan shows three full-size, 74-by-120-yard soccer fields and two standard high-school-sized, 65-by-110-yard fields.
That aligns with the need organizers described to the council Tuesday. Ernst said 439 children are participating in Geneseo soccer this fall, and organizers have discussed the need for additional fields for close to a decade.
Richmond Hill currently provides park greenspace that is used for games, but organizers said space and parking can limit the size of tournaments Geneseo can accommodate. A larger complex near I-80 could potentially draw visiting teams and families while creating additional traffic for local restaurants, hotels, and businesses.
The preliminary plan goes beyond soccer.
It identifies pickleball courts near the west end of the property, along with a playground and splash pad farther into the complex.
Parking and On-Site Facilities
Parking represents another substantial part of the concept.
Four parking areas shown on the preliminary plan contain a total of 490 spaces.
The concept includes a 50-by-110-foot concessions, restroom and equipment building, along with two 30-by-44-foot shelters with restrooms.
Water, Septic and Site Work
Developing the property would require significant infrastructure.
The preliminary plan includes the infrastructure needed to support the complex, including water service, stormwater drainage and septic systems.
Significant grading would also be required to prepare the property for development.
Plans also call for sidewalks, playing surfaces, maintained lawn areas and native grasses throughout the site.
Access Remains a Key Question
One of the biggest issues still to be resolved is how vehicles would reach the complex.
The preliminary plan shows an access drive near the I-80/Illinois Route 82 area. Project notes identify the need for an Illinois Department of Transportation entrance from Route 82, with traffic analysis and additional studies among the next steps.
That expands on the access discussion at Tuesday's council meeting, when city officials said they would investigate right-of-way near the city's wind turbine property and determine whether an existing approach could potentially provide access.
Partnerships and Funding Still to Be Developed
Organizers plan to seek partnerships with local businesses and organizations as the project develops.
At Tuesday's meeting, organizers said contributions would be funneled through the nonprofit associated with the Seth Ernst Memorial Soccer Slam and used to pay project expenses.
The preliminary $6 million to $7 million figure is not an approved city expenditure, and the materials provided to The Current describe the project as privately funded in its current form.
For now, the concept provides a considerably clearer picture of the scale being considered: five soccer fields, nearly 500 parking spaces and several additional recreation amenities on a 26-acre site along the interstate — with access, infrastructure, private funding and community partnerships among the major pieces still to be worked out.