BIG BEND — A large, multiple-sport youth athletic complex is being proposed for farmland near the intersection of Big Bend Road, Town Line Road and Skyline Drive, a development that backers say would become one of the largest youth sports facilities in the region.
The project would transform agricultural land into a regional destination for youth baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse tournaments. Eric Weishaar, owner, presented the proposal for Breck Athletic Complex during the Nov. 20 Big Bend Plan Commission meeting.
The Big Bend Village Board and Plan Commission will hold a joint public hearing at 6 p.m. on Jan. 29 at the Village Hall to hear comments on a request by Claire Roth, agent, and Weishaar to amend the Village of Big Bend Comprehensive Plan — Future Land Use Map. The proposed amendment would change approximately 42 acres from the Medium Density Residential to Commercial land use plan designation. The amendment is associated with related rezoning and conditional use requests for a proposed indoor/outdoor sports complex.
“This is going to be the first, really of its kind in the area. It’s going to be the biggest in the area, probably almost in the state,” said Weishaar.
“The development will include six turf baseball fields, a championship baseball field with plaza and seating, seven fullsize soccer fields, three futsal fields, four lacrosse fields, and an indoor turf facility totaling 155,000 square feet for year-round baseball, soccer, and lacrosse training. Supporting amenities include concessions, restrooms, playgrounds, fitness trails, and plazas. Complementary uses such as a craft bar/restaurant, banquet hall, hotel, gas station, and future retail spaces will provide services for visitors and residents,” according to project documents.
The project will be developed in a series of eight stages.
Weishaar said national tournament operators are already committed to long-term leases of 25 to 30 years.
“These are going to be long-term leases that they’re going to enter into. … So they are going to be here for a long time,” he said.
One of those partners would be SC Wave, a huge Milwaukee Wave–affiliated soccer club. According to the developers, the club is seeking a permanent home for its growing programs.
“They rent places, spaces from all over the place, and they really want to consolidate. They’re actually pretty anxious to announce in their club, hey everybody, we’re going to have a permanent home,” Weishaar said.
Project designers emphasized that the complex is intended to be visually appealing and compatible with surrounding areas.
He said he doesn’t want it to look cheap or industrial. He said they want something families can come to, not a concert venue or nightlife type of option. Tournaments are typically over by 10 p.m. or 11 p.m.
“This is not something that is going on all night,” he said.
Lighting was also discussed as a key concern, particularly given nearby residential areas. The developers said modern LED field lighting would be used to reduce light spill.
“The lighting design will respect adjacent land uses, including nearby residential areas. Where appropriate fixtures will utilize dark sky-compliant standards, directional optics, and shielding as needed to limit glare, light spill, and sky glow onto adjacent properties. Lighting placement, orientation, and performance will be evaluated to ensure compatibility with surrounding uses and compliance with applicable regulations,” documents said.
Weishaar said these aren’t the old-style lights you see at some facilities. The lights would be very focused, very controlled.
Construction would be completed in phases, beginning with the soccer fields, which developers said could be operational relatively quickly.
“If we can break ground, you know, this coming spring,” Weishaar said, “I’m anticipating that we can have those working for them, even if it’s just the fields and the parking lot.”
Baseball and softball fields would follow, with a targeted opening in spring 2027 to allow tournament operators time to schedule events.
“They start advertising their tournaments usually six months or more,” Weishaar said.
Developers said the complex would draw families who stay locally for entire weekends, creating demand for hotels, restaurants and retail.
“We’re going to be attracting not only the local clubs and teams, but we’re going to be bringing in a lot of out-of-state clubs and teams that are going to be coming here all summer long, every weekend for the next couple of decades,” Weishaar said.
Plans also include potential outlot development along Highway 164 for food, lodging and other services tied to the complex.
The project will require zoning and site plan approvals before construction can begin. Developers have asked local officials whether the review process can be expedited to meet club timelines.
Weishaar added they want to work with the community and do this the right way.
