After more than two decades since its last youth athletic field construction, the City of Lebanon is setting the stage to unveil a new sports complex, aiming to enrich the community and foster the spirit of recreational sports among the younger generation. Mayor Rick Bell has shared that the complex's completion is expected in spring 2025, marking the end of a much-anticipated wait for the project, which has seen delays stretching its timeline. The sports hub will feature five soccer fields, inclusive of both synthetic and natural turf options, and will be situated on Highway 231 just south of Stumpy Lane, as Main Street Media reports.
The project's journey has not been without hurdles. Originally slated for an earlier debut, the Lebanon Sports Complex had its timeline pushed due to contracting issues, notably with the company Relyant Global, which at one point led to the city considering the contract's termination. Despite these setbacks, the mayor has remained optimistic about the facility serving numerous future generations in a statement obtained by WSMV, declaring, "The end is in sight as we wrap up construction on the Lebanon Sports Complex. Although the construction took longer than we hoped, the final product will be something we can all be proud of."
Alongside soccer fields, the complex is set to readily embrace nightly games and practices with the installation of field lighting. This addition will likely be a game-changer for the Wilson United Soccer League, which previously could not host such nighttime activities, as mentioned in a news release from Mayor Bell's office. In addition to sports facilities, there will be a playground, a maintenance facility, and necessary amenities such as a concession stand and restrooms, which, as reported by WKRN, are being finalized in these last few weeks before the grand reveal.
Mayor Bell also has his sights firmly set on what lies ahead, already planning the second phase of the sports complex expansion. This will further enrich the complex with baseball and softball fields, alongside courts for the increasingly popular pickleball. He shared with Main Street Media that "Phase 1 of the Sports Complex will provide our children with a safe and modern place to play." Such infrastructure is seen as an investment in the community's youth, creating spaces that will continuously bring together families and enthusiasts in a shared love for sport and community engagement.
