A facility that SportsTravel Magazine has ranked #2 among world-wide venues to “keep an eye on,” the 24-acre, multi-sport complex located in Louisville’s Russell neighborhood, hosts a variety of local, regional, and national track meets, other sporting events, concerts, educational experiences, and other community programming. The facility, which opened in February of 2021, features 90,000 square feet of floor space with a 4,000 seat, 200-meter banked indoor track and competition areas for all jump, vaults and throws. The indoor track’s Mondo hydraulic floor can be lowered to provide space to add a stage and floor seating to host concerts and other events like robotics conferences. Additionally, the complex includes a 4-lane mini-bowling alley, an interactive rock-climbing wall, and a multi-purpose space to be used for educational programming for the Louisville community.
Building in the midst of a global pandemic and amid the most fervent cries for racial justice in decades, this project’s continued forward motion has provided hope and inspiration. It is the new example in Kentucky for Black spending and Black workforce participation. We set ambitious goals of attempting to spend 40% of our project costs with Black people and Black companies. We met them. We created 302 jobs. We set Atlanta goals because the West End deserved that investment.
Sadiqa Reynolds, Louisville Urban LeagueWhat Sadiqa Reynolds and the Louisville Urban League have done here is simply remarkable. The Urban League Movement has always been dedicated to creating opportunity and uplifting communities, and there is no greater example than this facility and the possibilities it holds.
Marc H. Morial, National Urban League
Featured inside and outside this complex are images and words that celebrate Black excellence. There is an expansive 30th Street wall-scape piece spanning a full city block that includes local Black leaders including Elmer Lucille Allen, Ed Hamilton, Alberta Jones, Mattie Jones, and Lewis Coleman Jr. , as well as a poem etched in the community green sidewalk, floor-to-ceiling artwork in the entrance vestibule, and more. These are written and developed by Black artists including Hannah Drake, Calvin Baker, Charles “Bud” Dorsey, Jr., Ty Lancaster, Marvin Young, and Carey Payneーall making clear that this facility is about much more than sports. This space is a tribute to the strength and resilience of the Black community.
We are very proud to have been an early partner in this project with the Louisville Urban League. We are committed to health equity in our community, and the opportunities for activities, classes, and events in this sports and learning center are critical to achieving that. It takes many like-minded partners working together to realize the transformational change that Sadiqa Reynolds and the Louisville Urban League envisioned for this project, and we are fully invested.
Russell F. Cox, Norton HealthcareTotal project costs are $53 million. In just 22 months, the Urban League raised $43 million by compiling philanthropic gifts, corporate sponsorships, and tax credits. Numerous sponsorship opportunities remain for corporations and organizations who want to be a part of this transformational effort by supporting its ongoing operations. This will be important because the League borrowed the last $10 million needed to complete the project.
USA Track & Field is thrilled that the Louisville Urban League’s national-class facility will soon be opening. USATF collaborated with LUL on the planning and design of the structure, and we know that this national-class facility will make a huge difference to athletes from youth to masters in providing a training and competition facility. Additionally, the potential for hosting USATF events is very exciting.
Max Siegel, USA Track & Field
This facility is an amazing example of a community investing in itself. The Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center is a game-changing facility for the sport of Track & Field. More importantly, it will become the epicenter of economic stimulus and continued development in West Louisville.
Dale Cowper, Head Coach, University of Louisville Track & FieldThe Louisville Sports Commission has worked with ASM Global to secure a number of track and field events for the venue and anticipates a growing demand as it will draw a variety of exciting entertainment and educational opportunities. The regional draw of the facility will increase hotel stays and visitor spending in the area, bringing a large economic impact to the Louisville region.
“The addition of this new center represents encouraging growth in Louisville’s West End. The venue gives Louisville Tourism another tool to continue positioning Louisville as a regional and national site for sports events. This state-of-the-art athletic center will be instrumental in helping generate a variety of youth and championship events.”
Cleo Battle, Louisville Tourism