AURORA | By next fall, the Aurora Sports Park will welcome four new fields made of synthetic grass. The 17-acre expansion is part of the city’s plan to make the park a year-round destination that can accommodate larger tournaments. Right now, the park’s season typically runs April through October with only natural grass fields.
“We’re going to be able to expand a facility that is at capacity right now,” said Aurora’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space Director Tom Barrett. According to the Parks department, the sports park has more than 410,000 annual visitors and hosts 35 events a year. He said the department expects the fields to be open to the public by October 2015.
The 250-acre site located at 19300 E. Colfax Ave has 12 baseball and softball fields and 23 multi-use fields that host football, rugby and lacrosse games. Those fields are made of natural grass, and they’re used by the city’s youth and adult sports leagues as well as by national tournament leagues.
The 34 acres of land the city acquired to create the fields cost $4 million. Another $7 million will be used to construct and install the synthetic turf. The project will also include hundreds of new parking spaces, another concession stand, and additional restrooms.
“Aurora Sports Park is by far the largest draw for people staying at hotels in the city,” said Visit Aurora President Gary Wheat.
Wheat estimates the Colorado Fireworks tournament — the largest of many events the city plays host to during the summer months — pumps around $10 million into Aurora’s economy during its week-long stay, a total that includes hotel stays, food, gas and other retail estimates.
He said Visit Aurora will be courting local organizations that include the Colorado Fireworks tournament about hosting tournaments during what would normally be considered the off-season.
The parks department still has 17 acres open of the 34 it purchased that could become an indoor field house for year-round sports, though no plans are yet in the works.
An open house for the Aurora Sports Park expansion will be held Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. at the Aurora Municipal Center at 15151 E. Alameda Parkway.