What a great facility for kids. I saw it for the first time today. Janesville should be proud!!

Hats off to Janesville for having a facility like this.It is first class and still a work in progress. It's an investment in more ways than one. What better way to invest some money into sports that make for healthier kids and then adults for years to come. Baseball has been the cornerstone of this complex and the focus this summer but it is softball, soccer, and football, too. Tons of opportunity for kids to get out from behind the television and be physically active. This also invests in our businesses. This complex, just over the summer has brought in baseball tournaments on many weekends. They have teams from all over the state and even Illinois. These teams stay in our hotels, eat from our restaurants, buy our gas and patronize our stores. And that is just baseball. The same holds true for the softball games, football, and soccer. Our high schools are also using these facilities, bringing in teams from around the state. Sure, there will be people who criticize the cities spending of money on this, but investing in projects like this is good for bringing people here, and keeping them here.

ImJustSayin, did it ever occur to you that maybe you are driving by during times that there aren't any games scheduled? The place is packed almost every night on my way home from work.

Has anyone asked the kids if they like the facilities better than the old ones? That's what is important right? The fields are nice for a community to have, but I get the feeling this situation is more about the adults than anything else, like raystone said.

Great facility. Thanks to all in Janseville that helpled make it a reality. It really showcases our city well.

It's beautiful! Not perfect, but beautiful. We are fortunate to have it!

Definitely money well spent. Youth baseball has a history of strong community participation and support. The fact that the association was able to contribute nearly as much as the city (and isn't done yet) proves it, and is the major difference between building a new ice arena or skate park. I think some specific design choices were unfortunate, but overall it is a beautiful complex that is an asset to the community.

This is a wonderful example of public/private partnership. Yes it was definately money well spent. As you mention a good "qaulity of life" amenity that business look for when deciding where to relocate to. It also will bring visitors to Janesville for tournaments that will spend money at our restuarant, shops and hotels.

Funny thing about the Sports Complex is that I go by it twice a day, and I don't think I've ever seen any cars there. I suppose there are, but it always seems abandoned.

So, the complex was built mainly because the old complex wasn't allowed to have lights. But the the new complex won't have lights in the foreseeable future due to funding issues. The old park had shade trees everywhere. The new complex will have some in 20 years. How much did parents pay at the old complex ? Parents now pay $110, plus $100 in raffle tickets they must sell, or their child can't play in tournament games. There don't seem to be any water fountains, or plumbing ready to convert to water fountains. After all, ya gotta make money off the parents on water ! Kids, including lower income kids, just want to play baseball and softball. Like big, new schools, the new complex is an ego trip for the developers and for the city officials that signed off on this. That's progressive for you.

The facility will be here long after the current heat wave passes. Congrats to the dedicated citizens and local companies that came up with the $1.2 million dollars to help get this built. I would be willing to wager that the majority of the few that grouse about the Cities investment also complain that there is nothing to do in this town. now Play Ball!

Please Mr. Peck, re-think your use of the description "Progressive community" when even slightly referring to Janesville. I know you are smarter than that.

are they not a "quality-of-life amenity"?

or a skate park?

how is this different from the ice arena?

Yes...money well spent. We visited yesterday, too. It's a beautiful complex and many fields were filled with kids playing and spectators braving the heat. It's a well-run program; our kids were involved many years ago. It's sustained the test of time. Let's keep kids active and also provide a venue to bring $$ into the community.