New $15 Million Sports and Recreation Complex Approved in Rock Hill

Rock Hill, a city already renowned for its active sports culture, is planning to nourish this reputation further with the development of a new sports and recreation complex. The Rock Hill Planning Commission has taken a crucial step this week, approving a site plan for the ambitious project.

Details of the New Complex

Strategically located at North Lee and West White streets, near downtown, this expansive venue will spread across a 40,500-square-foot area. The project calls for a $15 million public investment and is designed to host multiple sporting events including basketball, volleyball, and pickleball tournaments. This will supplement the ongoing events at the nearby Rock Hill Sports & Event Center which anchors the city’s University Center development.

Steps towards Construction

With the planning commission’s site plan approval secured, construction of the facility is expected to kick-off this fall. The completion target is set for the end of next year. The city is currently gearing up towards the next step which involves obtaining the necessary permits for the facility. City manager, David Vehaun, is optimistic about the project’s impact, estimating that it could bring about an economic boost between $27 million and $36 million.

Boosting Amateur Athletics

The new sports complex will address the existing capacity issues faced by the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center, which currently has space for 10 basketball courts and 17 volleyball courts. At present, some tournaments have been compelled to use facilities at local high schools and Winthrop University. The upcoming North Lee Street facility aims to accommodate more teams thereby eliminating the need for alternate venues. “We are limited in the number of teams that we can bring in for weekend events,” Vehaun mentioned. “We’re talking about an additional 30, 40, 50 or 60 teams that could come in for those events.”

A Neighbourly Tie-Feb

The new sports complex will be situated alongside the University Center mixed-use development, a flourishing zone anchored by the 170,000-square-foot Sports & Event Center. In addition to this, the remainder of the site at North Lee Street, is being planned to eventually house 87 townhomes and a 6,000- to 12,000-square-foot mixed-use commercial building, further enhancing the appeal of the area.

Stirring Local Sports Spirit

Rock Hill takes pride in its vibrant sports scene, especially amateur athletics. Along with the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center which hosts a range of basketball and volleyball tournaments, the city is home to the Manchester Meadows sports complex, the BMX Supercross Track, and Rock Hill Velodrome. The BMX track earned worldwide recognition after successfully hosting the 2024 UCI BMX Racing World Championships. The new sports complex will stand as a testament to the city’s unwavering support to sports, further enriching the sporting landscape.