Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Oct. 11, 2024 – The Jonesboro Finance and Administration Council Committee met to discuss the project costs of the Jonesboro Sportsplex on Tuesday in the conference room of the First Security Bank in Jonesboro.

During the meeting, they discussed the estimated price, which dropped by $3.2 million from the $77 million estimate earlier this year. It now stands at $74.6 million.

According to Craig Rickert, Executive Director of Jonesboro Advertising & Promotion Commission, the estimated total price went down because of the efforts of the Design-Build model, which allowed them to work closely with the design and construction management teams, as well as sub-contractors and owners on a near daily basis to ensure the assets were what they desired and expected.

“With this coordinated effort, the plans are much more comprehensive and easier for contractors to review and get comfortable with their bids,” Rickert explained. “Our bids were very competitive as we offered the plans up to large subcontractors in surrounding states to give consideration to the opportunity. This model is very different than the traditional ‘closed bid’ type of project development.”

An indoor walking track was not present in the plan. Rickert said that an elevated walking track was a suggestion in one of the public meetings but adding the feature would mean increasing the size of the structure.

“The roof would need to be raised and the square footage of the floor to increase to make room for the basketball goals to retract to and from the ceiling,” he said8. “People who want to walk will still have ample space to do so between the main gymnasium and event center. We will also have an outdoor walking path at the site that will be approximately 3/4 of a mile long.”

The Sportsplex will feature 12 basketball courts, which will convert to 24 volleyball courts. The same space has room for 36 pickleball courts. It will have a 50-meter pool with one- and three-meter diving boards and a recreational warm-up/cool-down pool with a zero-entry feature. The complex will also feature an outdoor aquatic center with a pool, a moving water feature, a large slide and other spray-ground features for children.

Rickert said they plan to break ground in the first quarter of 2025. If the weather allows, their goal is to complete the project in 18 months and open in late summer or early fall of 2026.

“A great deal of thought has been put into this project by dedicated community volunteers and was a grassroots effort with dozens of public meetings for input and transparency,” Rickert said. “Those who served on the committees took their time to make sure we do this right. That care and attention to detail will be on full display once this project is completed. We’re proud of it.”

“The Sportsplex is a facility that our community deserves. It will create space to expand recreation opportunities for the people of Jonesboro. It will drive tourism and have a large economic impact that will benefit our city. We can’t wait to get started,”