Sports complex expansion nears completion with opening of softball field

SportsConstruction

Mar 18

Written By Staff

Photo courtesy of West Michigan Sports Commission

This weekend, Aquinas Women's Softball will play its home opener of the season at a new field: Alro Steel Championship Softball Field at the Meijer Sports Complex. The completed softball field and two flexible-use fields are the latest milestones that advance the $13.5 million expansion project one step closer to its grand opening this May.

Breaking ground in October 2024, the West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) will soon complete its 19-month improvement and expansion project of the Meijer Sports Complex. In addition to completing the ballfields, the WMSC is launching a Winning Streak Legacy Program where supporters can purchase a personalized commemorative brick, bench, or picnic table supporting the Meijer Sports Complex Winning Streak Campaign.

"Opening the Alro Steel Championship Softball Field is a major accomplishment as we near completion of the expanded Meijer Sports Complex, and it delivers much-needed gender parity for women to play on a championship-level field," said Mike Guswiler, President, West Michigan Sports Commission. "We also encourage the community to make their mark and become part of the sports complex's history with a commemorative brick, bench or picnic table."

Completed this month, the Alro Steel Championship Field features synthetic turf, grandstands, lighting, covered dugouts, and a press box, and it will be available for youth, amateur, and collegiate softball games and tournaments. Aquinas Women's Softball will also use this as its home field, playing a home opener doubleheader March 21-22 against Madonna University and the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

"We are incredibly grateful to the West Michigan Sports Commission and everyone in the community who helped make this possible," said Mary Takas, Aquinas Softball Coach. "We haven't had a field to call our own for many years, with our teams having to pack up and travel to different places to play. This is a wonderful opportunity for Aquinas Softball, and I'm excited for the players and coaches who will call this place home."

Patty Jansen, Head Women's Softball Coach for Aquinas, added, "This is an incredible way to begin my first year at Aquinas. To step into a program with such a strong tradition and now have the opportunity to play in a first-class facility like this is really special. Having both our softball and baseball programs competing at the same complex is going to create a great atmosphere for Saints fans. It gives our community the chance to come out, support both teams, and feel that Aquinas energy around our games – and at an incredible facility."

In addition to the championship softball field, two flexible-use diamond fields are complete and open this month for youth and amateur baseball and softball, as well as collegiate softball – featuring covered dugouts and bleachers. The 20 pickleball courts, including a championship court, are slated for completion next, with timing dependent on temperatures allowing the top court layer to be applied and cured.

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