Syracuse Wins Award For Harold Schrock Athletic Complex Revitalization

Staff Report

FRENCH LICK – Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (Aim) announced that the town of Syracuse is the recipient of a 2025 Aim Placemaking Award for its redevelopment of the Harold Schrock Athletic Complex.
The town was recognized during the Annual Awards Luncheon, presented by Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, on Oct. 22 at the 2025 Aim Ideas Summit in French Lick. Syracuse earned the award in the 2,501 to 10,000 population category.
For decades, the Harold Schrock Athletic Complex has been the heart of youth sports in Syracuse, according to a provided news release. When Polywood needed the original land for expansion, the town seized the chance to build a new, state-of-the-art facility. Funded by tax increment financing, Polywood, a Kosciusko County grant and additional donors, the $3 million complex was constructed with four fields, dual batting cages, tee-ball fields, football field, playground, basketball court, walking paths, scoreboards and modern concessions.
The grand opening celebration included a community parade, ribbon-cutting and first pitch, marking the beginning of a new chapter for local athletics. The complex has since expanded with pickleball courts and new programming. This year, Syracuse will host at least five tournaments, helping boost recreation, tourism and the local economy while continuing as home to Wawasee Youth Leagues.
“Quality places are about more than solid infrastructure and the functions traditionally associated with local government,” said Aim CEO Matt Greller. “They are communities that think about what it means to be a hometown – creating amenities and activities that embrace all phases of life. Syracuse understands the role government leaders play in place-based development and I couldn’t be prouder to see them take home and Aim Placemaking Award.”
Learn more about the completed project at https://aimindiana.org/terminal/syracuse-wins-aim-award-for-harold-schrock-athletic-complex-revitalization/
The Placemaking Award recognizes completed projects that demonstrate innovative approaches to addressing municipal challenges. These initiatives should showcase how planning, revitalization or economic development efforts have improved the physical environment and enhanced the economic and social well-being of the community, the release states. Eligible projects must include a completed physical component within the past year. Awards are presented in multiple population categories based on nominations received.
In its 49th year, the Aim Annual Awards program, presented by Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors LLC, recognizes communities and individuals in municipal government for excellence and outstanding achievement. A seven-member panel of qualified judges selected this year’s winners from a competitive field of nominees from around the state.