The city of Fort Dodge and the Pavilion along with the Ambassadors of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house, affording interested people a full picture of the community’s newest project.

The Pavilion Sports Complex at Corridor Plaza will be a hub for many activities, including basketball, volleyball, batting cages, pickleball and a walking track. Operating hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

“This is the largest venue in the state of Iowa for a smaller market like ours,” said Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota owner Casey Johnson, who spoke at the event representing the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Ambassadors. “You expect to see venues like this in Des Moines and Davenport.

“With a 51,000-square-foot facility, it rivals all of them. I’m excited to see what this does for Fort Dodge.”

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Local leaders and members of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Ambassadors gathered inside the vast Pavilion at Corridor Plaza Wednesday afternoon for a ribboncutting ceremony to formally open the sports and recreation facility.

There will be volleyball, basketball and many other activities and tournaments offered as the seasons progress.

“Memberships for each activity are available,” said Pavilion Sports Complex General Manager Jerame Hinote. “It will cost $35 a month to have a membership for the basketball and pickleball courts. It will be $75 a month for the batting cages. Seniors can pay $25 a month for access to pickleball and to walk.”

Hinote, who is the founder of the Play 4 Him Academy, will host basketball practices and tournaments at the complex.

“Play 4 Him will host four tournaments and the Pavilion itself will host four tournaments,” Hinote said. “My program alone will bring 14 teams from 18 different school districts in the winter time. In the winter months, there will be 90 to 95 kids from out of town at the Pavilion two days a week.

“We will have a tournament that will have 22 teams bringing people to the hotels and restaurants in Fort Dodge. Kids from as far away as Lincoln (Neb.) and Omaha will be here.”

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
The basketball courts at the Pavilion in Corridor Plaza are ready for action.

The facility is a cornerstone piece for the new Corridor Plaza.

“What’s great about the entire Pavilion is that it will be the crown jewell of the Corridor Plaza,” Johnson said. “There is also the additional benefit of people coming to the town for the restaurants, hotels and businesses.

“It will continue to redefine Fifth Avenue South area coming into town. It’s great to see all of the pieces come into place that have evolved over the decades.”

The city of Fort Dodge saw the need to help bring the Pavilion project to fruition.

“When we first had the notion to develop the mall area, we wanted to embrace the concept that it would be a viable destination location,” said Fort Dodge City Manager David Fierke. “We did research for the Pavilion concept (embracing the) growth and push of youth sports.

“We then filed for a (state) reinvestment program and were granted $17 million. That money can go to the Pavilion, or other redevelopment costs for the Corridor Plaza. We get to keep the sales tax from the mall area for 20 years.”

Johnson sees many benefits to having athletes and their families in Fort Dodge, especially during the winter months.

“In the upper Midwest, we deal with some brutal winter months,” Johnson said. “There will be families that can’t travel to other venues because of gas and hotels, so it’s great to be able to offer that as a hub right here in town.

“To have an indoor facility where athletes can hone their skills and stay physically active (locally) is another underlying benefit.”

The Pavilion will offer an opportunity to fill and cater to other needs in town as well.

“Our business is across the street, and one of the developers of the facility asked what amenities there are to offer in Fort Dodge,” Johnson said. “For instance, we have EV Charging Stations (at Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota). People will be parked there for three to four hours while at the Pavilion; we have nine charging stations in all. And we will do something marketing-wise to help benefit the small businesses in some fashion.

“You may not see the impact of the Pavilion immediately, but as it prospers and people buy from one another and support our community, you’ll start to see a waterfall effect.”

The Pavilion also lowers the travel demands for local families.

“I think the cool thing is it gives Fort Dodge parents and the surrounding areas access to competitive leagues in your own back yard,” Fierke said. “You won’t have to drive to Des Moines all the time. You’ll be able to sleep in your own bed.”

Being a business owner, Johnson was pleased that the city of Fort Dodge was able to jump in and keep the project moving forward.

“Hats off to the city for getting involved and finalizing (the project),” Johnson said. “It needed additional financing, and the city recognized it for the potential growth and economic development.”

The Pavilion will be a long-term asset to the community, according to Fierke.

“I think it’s a two-prong thing for Fort Dodge,” he said. “First, from a quality of life standpoint. The options to compete in sports locally and not have to travel is a priority. Second, it creates sports tourism opportunities that didn’t exist prior. One of the things we’ve always had here is warm weather sports tourism, but not as much to offer in the winter.

“Every weekend, the Pavilion can host events like a two- or three-day tourney. That brings hotel stays and restaurant visits. It attracts people to Fort Dodge, and keeps them here. It’s a big bonus for our tourism industry.”

The Pavilion now stands as a beacon for the reimagined mall area.

“It’s a vital piece,” Fierke said. “Our traditional mall was dead (as it is in most communities). We brought back some of the shopping and restaurants options to that area, and we are going to get more. You can come to the area for multiple reasons: sports, shops, craft shows, even concerts. The Pavilion is a big space. Anything can be in there.

“It’s great for our tourism and economy. This is something the entire community can be excited about moving forward.”