Former Cardinals pitcher among owners of Fairview Heights indoor sports complex
Construction began last week in Fairview Heights on an indoor sports facility that is part-owned by a former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher.
Brad Thompson, his wife Andrea Thompson, and four other area couples are the owners of Home Turf Sports Complex, 5 Marxer Place. Thompson won 21 games for the Cardinals as a pitcher from 2005 to 2009 before ending his career with a single season in Kansas City.
Other owners are Phillip and Chantelle Neal, Anthony and Amber Meluso, Mark and Lauren Morton, and Daniel and Mia Thouvenot.
A detailed release provided by Mia Thouvenot stated the group’s mission is to “provide a premier destination where players can train, compete, grow, and achieve their goals — all under one roof.”
“We are five families whose children participate in a variety of sports at different ages and competitive levels,” stated the release.
“While baseball holds a special place in our hearts, our vision has always been to create a facility that serves athletes across multiple sports and brings families together through a shared passion for competition and development.”
Thouvenot told the News-Democrat the facility will measure 45,000 square feet and include a 27,500-square-foot parking lot.
Home Turf, while focused mainly on baseball, will accommodate multiple sports activities such as softball, football, soccer, lacrosse, and other turf activities, she said.
The baseball field will have an MLB-sized infield, but not a full outfield. The space can be partitioned into two areas for practices and other activities.
Other facility details include:
- A 195-by-135-foot indoor turf field as the centerpiece of the facility, with ceiling clearance to allow live hitting
- An infield that can accommodate a full-sized infield with 90 feet between bases
- An enclosed playing surface with high-tension netting for live pitching, hitting, and fielding in a safe environment
- The ability to host year-round youth baseball and softball tournaments.
Other planned amenities include six batting cages that will accommodate all ages and skill levels, two full-size golf simulators, pitching and hitting labs to help young players develop their skills, and a weight room.
There will be a mezzanine and concession area that can be utilized to host community events and accommodate spectators and families at sports competitions, said Thouvenot.
City backs the “Field of Futures”
Construction began July 7 as Impact Strategies cleared trees from the site. Two days later, the developer, the owners and their families, city officials and area residents and business owners celebrated with a groundbreaking ceremony.
“We wanted something that we could give back to the community,” Brad Thompson said on behalf of the group.
He thanked the city for welcoming them to Fairview Heights and working with them to make the project happen.
Mayor Mark Kupsky said Home Turf will allow young people and individuals to develop their skills and referred to the facility as the “Fairview Heights Field of Futures.”
“These things don’t just happen easily,” he said, adding that a project like this takes vision and patience.
On July 14, the city hosted a public meeting at Grant Middle School to announce its intent to expand the existing Enterprise Zone to include the property at 5 Marxer Place.
The addition would exempt the developer from paying sales tax on building materials used to construct the facility.
Kupsky told for the residents in attendance that this would have no impact on residential property taxes.
The Enterprise Zone currently consists of all property in the existing Lincoln Trail Tax Increment Financing District, Fairview Heights TIF #4, and the Ludwig Drive TIF and State Route 159 TIF districts. Commercial properties on the south side of Ludwig Drive at Fairview Heights Plaza also are within the boundary of the Enterprise Zone.
About Home Turf Sports Complex
Founded by a group of friends, neighbors, and parents, Home Turf is under construction at 5 Marxer Place, just off of North Ruby Lane, in Fairview Heights.
Their vision “extends beyond athletics,” stated the release.
“We are committed to creating a welcoming, family-oriented environment where young athletes can develop confidence, character, leadership, and lifelong friendships.”
Thouvenot described the group as well-rounded and said each person participated equally in planning and designing the facility and in their think-tank sessions.
“We put our hearts in it,” she said. “I’m excited to see our baby grow.”
Thompson said the facility could be up and running as early as February.
“It’s gonna be the place to be,” he said.
