Aquatic development teased in northwest Springfield

Officials behind a newly planned aquatic development are looking  make a splash in northwest Springfield.

H Design Group LLC officials teased in an April 15 Facebook post plans for the Well Aquatic Center, a 70,000-square-foot development at Chestnut Expressway and Airport Boulevard.

“The Well isn’t just a pool – it’s a community landmark in the making,” the post reads, indicating the development would have offerings for competitive and burgeoning swimmers. “The Well will also be a hub for innovative water therapy options, promoting holistic wellness for all ages and abilities.”

The Well was registered as a nonprofit with the Missouri secretary of state’s office last month by H Design Group senior principal Rob Haik, Bailey Gott and Laura Gott, who is named as project manager on LinkedIn.

Haik said those involved with the project are currently seeking to build interest for the development.

“The developer is fully behind this initiative and impressed with what has been presented so far,” he said via email. “As for costs and logistics, we’ll address them as the project garners more support. Regarding the developer, design team and contractor, all decisions have been made, and we’ll share more details when appropriate.”

He said the goal is to secure funding from a mix of public and private sources, as well as state backing.

“Although the aspiration is to establish a nonprofit entity, the project’s potential to enhance tourism and elevate Springfield’s visibility is undeniable,” Haik said.

Reached by email, Laura Gott deferred comment to Haik.

Renderings provided in the Facebook post by H Design Group also show the potential for hotels, a restaurant, convenience store, coffee shop and outdoor entertainment in the outlots of the Betty & Bobby Allison Sports Town fronting Chestnut Expressway. The $30 million Sports Town development opened in late 2022. The sports destination was planned by SGF Sports LLC through a partnership with Philcrest Properties and L5 Management & Consulting, according to past reporting.

Sports Town co-owner Stan Liedel, who is president of L5 Management, told Springfield Business Journal in a 2023 interview that the 23 acres at the front of the property are in the works to be developed commercially, with expectations for hotels and restaurants at the site.

Liedel could not be reached for comment on this article by press time. Sports Town General Manager Chris Martin said in an email he would defer a request to comment to the ownership group behind Sports Town.

Over 100 acres at the Sports Town site that’s owned by SGF Sports LLC, according to Greene County assessor records, is split into two parcels, with the front 23-acre portion facing Chestnut Expressway.

Greene County assessor and recorder data does not show a recent transfer of property to any other entities.