The Pavilion Sports Complex, located on the west side of the property that was once Crossroads Mall, includes space for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball. It also includes batting cages and a walking track.

It opened in October.

The Pavilion Sports Complex will be a long-term asset to the community, according to City Manager David 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.

-Messenger file photo by Britt Kudla
A group prepares to snip the ceremonial ribbon to formally open the Pavilion Sports Complex at Corridor Plaza on Oct. 1, 2025.

“Every weekend, the Pavilion can host events like a two- or three-day tourney,” he added. “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 Sports Complex now stands as a beacon for the reimagined mall area.

“It’s a vital piece,” Fierke said. “Our traditional mall was dead. We brought back some of the shopping and restaurant 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,” he said. “This is something the entire community can be excited about moving forward.”

The building measures 51,000 square feet. Within that space are five basketball courts, five volleyball courts, three pickleball courts, six batting cages and a walking track. It is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

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

An outdoor plaza is planned for the area immediately to the north of the building. That plaza will be a gathering space that may host live music and other special events.

Getting the pavilion completed and open was a sometimes contentious initiative that unfolded throughout the first few months of 2025.

The city government actually owned the building for a couple of months. The City Council stepped in when the original developer, M & M LLC, of Ankeny, struggled to get financing.

The sports pavilion was envisioned as a magnet that would draw people to Corridor Plaza, and the council indicated that it did not want to see it fail.

So in January, the council voted to buy the building from 3 & 1 LLC, of Fort Dodge, for $10.1 million.

Then in April, the council sold it back to original developer M & M LLC. The sale was structured so that payments from that company will pay off the debt the city government incurred to buy it.

But city government involvement in the deal was not universally popular, resulting in some vigorous complaints during City Council meetings.

In addition to the Pavilion Sports Complex, Corridor Plaza is home to Dairy Queen, Dunham’s Sports, Shoe Sensation, Maurice’s, Chick-fil-A, Teriyaki Madness, Clean Laundry, T-Mobile, Tidal Wave Auto Spa, ULTA and UnityPoint Clinic Express.