Key Takeaways
- Breck Athletic Complex would include 155,000 square feet of indoor turf for year-round baseball, soccer, and lacrosse training in southeastern Wisconsin
- The 42-acre project features 20+ outdoor fields across baseball, softball, soccer, futsal, and lacrosse
- National tournament operators have committed to 25-30 year lease agreements, according to the developer
- SC Wave, a Milwaukee Wave-affiliated soccer club, is named as a key tenant seeking a permanent home
- A public hearing is scheduled for Jan. 29 before the Big Bend Village Board and Plan Commission
Multi-Sport Destination Planned for Agricultural Land
A proposal to convert 42 acres of farmland in Big Bend, Wisconsin into a regional youth sports destination is advancing through the local approval process. Eric Weishaar, owner and developer of Breck Athletic Complex, presented plans to the Big Bend Plan Commission in November.
The project would require amending the village’s comprehensive plan to change the land designation from Medium Density Residential to Commercial. A joint public hearing between the Village Board and Plan Commission is set for Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. at Village Hall.
“This is going to be the first, really of its kind in the area. It’s going to be the biggest in the area, probably almost in the state,” Weishaar said during the November meeting.
Facility Breakdown and Phased Construction
The development would include six turf baseball fields, a championship baseball field with plaza seating, seven full-size soccer fields, three futsal fields, and four lacrosse fields. The 155,000-square-foot indoor facility would support year-round training across multiple sports.
Supporting amenities include concessions, restrooms, playgrounds, fitness trails, and plazas. The site plan also incorporates commercial outlots along Highway 164 for a craft bar/restaurant, banquet hall, hotel, gas station, and future retail.
Construction is planned across eight phases. Soccer fields would come first, with a potential opening as early as spring 2026 if ground breaks this coming spring. Baseball and softball fields are targeted for spring 2027 to give tournament operators lead time for scheduling.
Long-Term Tenants Already Committed
Weishaar told commissioners that national tournament operators have committed to lease agreements spanning 25 to 30 years. SC Wave, affiliated with the Milwaukee Wave professional soccer organization, is also identified as a key partner.
“They rent places, spaces from all over the place, and they really want to consolidate. They’re actually pretty anxious to announce in their club, hey everybody, we’re going to have a permanent home,” Weishaar said.
The complex is expected to draw teams from outside Wisconsin for weekend-long tournaments, creating demand for nearby lodging and dining.
Community Compatibility a Focus
Developers emphasized that the facility would use modern LED field lighting designed to minimize light spill into nearby residential areas. Tournaments are expected to conclude by 10 or 11 p.m.
“This is not something that is going on all night,” Weishaar said.
The project still requires zoning and site plan approvals. Developers have asked local officials whether the review process can be expedited to meet tenant timelines.
If approved, Breck Athletic Complex would join a growing list of large-scale youth sports facilities positioning themselves as regional tournament destinations. The combination of indoor and outdoor capacity, long-term operator commitments, and adjacent commercial development reflects a model increasingly favored by developers seeking year-round revenue streams.
via: GM Today
photo: Courtesy of Village of Big Bend
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