Jonesboro Sportsplex to cost $77.2 million

The city of Jonesboro now has finite cost estimates for its proposed, 200,000 square-foot sports complex. The estimate for the building and equipment for the proposed Jonesboro Sportsplex is $77.2 million, according to Erik Kocher with Hastings-Chivetta Architects.

This includes the main structure with 12 basketball courts (24 volleyball and 36 pickleball) and the natatorium. The natatorium plan has a 50-meter pool, a competition diving pool, and a warm-up pool. The natatorium features seating for 1,245 spectators.

Hastings-Chivetta is partnering with Crafton Tull on the Sports Complex project.

“We are excited to be at this point in the process of bringing a first-class indoor sports complex to Jonesboro,” said Kevin Hodges, the chairman of the steering committee, “We are eager to take a look at these numbers and evaluate them.”

That cost does not reflect a secondary paved parking lot, an outdoor splash pad, and an indoor walking track. Kocher estimates that adding the splash pad would cost $2.5 million. The indoor walking track would cost $900,000. A secondary parking lot would cost $325,000. Those items, listed separately, do not indicate their exclusion in the final plans.

“The summary is in line with building a facility of this quality and scope,” said Jerry Morgan, chairman of the Jonesboro Advertising and Promotion Commission, “While we were expecting an increase in costs due to the inflation over the past two years, we were unsure of the final cost summary. This summary shows what it takes to build a first-class facility that we can be proud of.”

The A&P Commission will work with the Jonesboro Facilities Board and the bonding agent and seek advice from the city finance department before beginning the financing stage. The process will determine if the size and scope are feasible based on the current economic conditions and revenue projections.

“It’s important that we get this right. That’s why we are taking our time to seek advice from the city and the financial counselors before we end at a final price and begin construction,” said Craig Rickert, executive director of the Jonesboro A&P Commission.

“We will expedite the process of evaluating the revenues and expenses to see if we can continue under the current size and scope of the project. We do have the option of a size reduction or a phased-in construction approach. But we want to ensure we get the return on investment for the city and stakeholders,” Morgan said.

Plans call for building the complex on an approximately 36-acre site on Race Street. The Jonesboro Advertising and Promotion Commission purchased the property in January 2023. Officials had hoped to start construction on the project in late 2023. A new timetable to begin groundwork has not been released.