Groundbreaking for McKendree Metro Rec Plex set for October 15
From Illinois Business Journal news services
O’FALLON – Groundbreaking for the McKendree Metro Rec Plex in the Four Points Commercial Development is set for Oct. 15 at 2 p.m., lead developer Dean Oelze of S.I. Strategy, LLC has announced.
The project site is at the intersection of U.S. Hwy 50 and Scott Troy Road in O’Fallon.
“After more than two years of planning and design, it is with great enthusiasm that we are beginning the construction of the McKendree Metro Rec Plex,” Oelze said.
The facility will be the first phase in the development of The Four Points Center, which is a mixed use development that will encompass 45 acres for retail, hospitality, professional office and of course recreation.
“It has been a pleasure working with a number of talented professionals, city leaders and organizations during the planning phase of this project,” Oelze said, noting in particular Mayor Gary Graham, the City Council, McKendree University, and the Southern Illinois Ice Hawks, as well as Poettker Construction Co. of Breese, the construction manager; Sink Combs Dethlefs, a national architectural firm; and Curl and Associates, a consultant engineering firm out of Centralia.
The McKendree Metro Rec Plex will include two NHL‐sized ice rinks, a championship swimming pool, a recreational swimming pool, a half‐court basketball court, a fitness facility, a walking track and office space. Upon completion, this facility will be open to the public as well as home to the McKendree University’s hockey and aquatic teams and the Southern Illinois Ice Hawks youth hockey association.
“The McKendree community is thrilled to be a participant in this important community endeavor. Our students will benefit by having a world class facility on our extended campus. We salute Dean Oelze for his vision and commitment to forging a relationship and express appreciation to all who have made this exciting project possible,” said James M. Dennis, president of McKendree University.
Pat McLeod, president emeritus of the Southern Illinois Ice Hawks, said the team has sought its own home rink for more than two years.
“I cannot express the excitement the entire youth hockey community feels toward seeing our dream become reality. This milestone is the first step toward growing and re-energizing our amazing sport in our region.”
Keith C. Poettker, vice president Preconstruction, Poettker Construction, said, “Poettker Construction is blessed and very excited about the opportunity to work on such an important project for the community. It is our objective to deliver this facility as expeditiously as possible so that the McKendree Metro Rec Plex can begin fulfilling its mission of delivering collegiate and youth hockey to the metro east and provide a state of the art venue for competitive swimming and diving in our region while providing the public a fantastic facility to invest in their health.”
Lindsey Peckinpaugh, with Sink Combs Dethlefs, stated “Sink Combs Dethlefs is so honored to be part of this exciting project. The development and design team has worked very hard to ensure the building is as flexible as possible and will have the capacity to host numerous user groups and events concurrently. We are very proud of the efficiency of this design and are confident the building will serve the community well for generations to come.”
S.I. Strategy, LLC is anticipating construction of this facility will take approximately one year and expects the facility to be open fall of 2016. Memberships will be available to the public beginning in 2016.
For construction progress updates and membership information, visit the McKendree Metro Rec Plex website at www.metrorecplex.com.
