Des Moines explores $30 million expansion to Cownie Soccer Complex

Des Moines needs to invest $30 million to expand the James W. Cownie Soccer Complex if it wants to attract the region's biggest soccer tournaments, according to a new study.

The money would double the size of the south-side sports park, adding 12 fields on 87 acres south of the existing fields.

The study comes less than a month after Kum & Go CEO Kyle Krause announced his plans to bring a USL Championship soccer team to Des Moines.

The USL franchise is contingent on the construction of a $60 million stadium near downtown that would likely require a hefty dose of public money.

Despite both projects involving soccer fields, Des Moines leaders Monday said the Cownie sports park and downtown stadium are not in competition.

"I don't see them in the same realm," Councilman Chris Coleman said. "I see these as different projects."

The Cownie Soccer Complex, 2600 Hartford Ave., opened in 1998 and includes 12 grass soccer fields. The complex is used by Drake and Grand View universities, Des Moines high school teams and youth programs.

Expanding the facility by 12 fields could generate $1.47 billion for the local economy over 20 years by bringing more and bigger youth tournaments to Des Moines, according to CHA Consulting Inc., which completed the study reviewed at Monday's council workshop.

"Obviously, we have to do something because we're losing out on a lot of these tournaments," Councilman Joe Gatto said.

The Cownie facility was once at the forefront of youth sports, but as Midwest cities like Indianapolis and St. Louis have constructed massive sports complexes with amenities like artificial turf, Des Moines has fallen behind, according to Catch Des Moines, the local convention and visitors group.

One tournament — the 14-state, 200-team U.S. Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championship — can bring in more than $8 million for local hotels, restaurants and stores, according to Ryan Vogt, Catch's head of sports tourism.

Des Moines hosted the weeklong tournament three times between 2003 and 2013, but recent attempts to bring it back to Iowa have fallen short.

Councilwoman Connie Boesen said the city has been looking to upgrade Cownie Soccer Complex for a long time.

“We have a known need for more space," she said.

Boesen said she doesn't want to pit the Cownie complex and downtown stadium against each other.

"I think they’re totally different entities,” she said.

The study calls for three sets of four fields to be built south of the existing soccer park, directly west of Hartford Avenue. Six would be synthetic turf fields. The project would include additional parking, restrooms, a concessions area and a team building.

It does not include the money that would be needed to purchase the land.

Des Moines Parks and Recreation Director Ben Page said adding six synthetic turf fields would allow the complex to host tournaments throughout the summer without the threat of weather forcing events to be canceled. 

The complex is closed from mid-June through mid-July to keep the natural grass turf in playable shape.

Twice this year, the city was forced to refund $40,000 to tournament organizers after events were rained out.

The consultants also propose $1.2 million in improvements to the existing soccer park, including the addition of 80 parking spots and two more restroom and concessions buildings.

Bill Feldman of CHA Consulting Inc. said the investment would separate Cownie Soccer Complex from nearby sports parks.

According to the feasibility study, the city could bring in $19.7 million in tax revenue related to the soccer park over 20 years.

“I think you’ve got a unique opportunity to build off what you’ve got today," Feldman said.

Austin Cannon covers the city of Des Moines for the Register. Reach him at awcannon@registermedia.com or 515-284-8398.

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