Frankenmuth

11 "The beautiful thing about this facility being owned by the Foundation is that proceeds from successful operation will be put back into the community through charitable gifts, scholarships and community programs," said Jamie Furbush, President/CEO of the Frankenmuth Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Foundation. The Frankenmuth Credit Union Sports Complex creates a healthy future for our regional communities. A place for people to come together with programming for all generations. A hub of wellness that also creates another anchor to grow & sustain the tourism economy of Frankenmuth and neighboring communities. The indoor complex will be more than 100,000 square feet in size. The main space, The Bavarian Inn Courts, is a multi-use court space featuring 6 basketball courts that can convert to 12 volleyball courts or 18 pickleball courts. It can also host multiple sports at the same time as the courts will be divisible with curtain walls. The courts can also be used for wrestling, cheer, dance, table tennis and much more. Flex rooms provide gathering spaces that will be used for things like senior programming, classes and they will also be available for rent, especially during tournaments when teams need to gather. Programming will be diverse and affordable for a wide range of ages and abilities including various leagues, drop-in times, court rental for team or groups. The facility also boasts an indoor elevated walking track, a membership fitness center and a food & beverage area. The facility is projected to host 31 events and tournaments a year, mostly on the weekends, which provides economic growth that aligns with community values. Welcoming the next generation of guests to a fun, safe, and a healthy environment is vital to Frankenmuth's visitor economy. The project is estimated to add $10.5M in direct annual spending to the local economy. Through this project, the Frankenmuth Growth & Development Foundation will be able to support initiatives that Empower Minds, Grow Community Connection, Energize Growth and Give Back to the community through charitable grants. This project is a win-win-win for quality of life that attracts the next generation, growing the visitor base that sustains businesses throughout the region and giving back to the community through programs & grants. This facility is being made possible through grants from the State of Michigan, the Frankenmuth Convention & Visitors Bureau, many foundations, service organizations and private donors. The project is estimated to cost over $37 million and nearly $34M is already committed. The Foundation will be soon launching a charitable giving campaign to help fill the funding gap. The design and development over the last 2 years has been on schedule and aligned with anticipated budget projections as well. Furbush noted, "The groundbreaking ceremony will take place on October 1, 2026 at 11:30am at 825 Keystone Street, the site of the future Frankenmuth Credit Union Sports Complex." She added, "We are excited to also hold a fun Hometown Huddle open house event that evening from 5:30-7:30pm for the community to come see renderings, ask questions and learn more about this exciting place helping to make our community an attractive place to live."

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