Letter to the Editor: Indoor sports market growing, but Springfield constrained

Dear editor,

Springfield is not lacking demand for sports.

We are lacking space, specifically indoor capacity at scale.

That is not a reflection on the quality of what we have. The Springfield-Greene County Park Board provides strong sports assets across the community, and facilities like Allison Sports Town and Wilson Logistics Arena have elevated Springfield’s ability to host events.

But there is still a gap, and it is widening.

In today’s sports industry, many large indoor tournaments are built around a specific model: a centralized facility with eight basketball courts that can convert to 16 volleyball courts under one roof. This type of “anchor indoor facility” allows for efficient scheduling, better event flow and a stronger overall experience for participants.

Springfield does not currently have that type of venue.

At the same time, we are losing capacity. The closure of the Strafford Sports Center and its four hardwood courts adds additional pressure to an already limited indoor inventory.

A 2025 Huddle Up Group study confirmed that Springfield is deficient in indoor sports facilities and lacks an anchor venue capable of hosting large, multicourt events. That finding is now reflected in real-world decisions.

The National Christian HomeSchool Championships, which has been held in Springfield since 2009, brings thousands of athletes and families to the community. But as the event has grown, organizers have made clear that current infrastructure is being stretched, noting that for events of their size, a modern, centralized indoor facility is “no longer just a luxury, it is a necessity.”

They also shared that their national volleyball championships had to leave Springfield because there is not a facility capable of hosting all courts in one location.

From an industry standpoint, this is the challenge.

Basketball, volleyball, wrestling, gymnastics and cheer operate year-round and continue to grow. Event organizers are increasingly prioritizing communities that can provide scale, flexibility and centralized operations.

Springfield currently relies on a collection of strong but distributed facilities. That works for many events, but not for those that require everything in one place.

As the community evaluates the proposed convention and events center and the April 7 ballot initiative, it is important to understand how facilities like this are used in other markets. In many communities, they serve as the primary venue for large indoor sports events because they meet these exact needs.

This is not about replacing what we have.

It is about understanding a gap, and how that gap shapes the opportunities available to Springfield.

Lance Kettering, executive director of the Greater Springfield Area Sports Commission Inc.