Muscatine officials report 12,000 visits to Musco Sports Center, propose memberships and events

Parks and Recreation staff told the Muscatine City Council on Jan. 6 that the Musco Sports Center has welcomed more than 12,000 attendees since opening to the public on Nov. 1. The presentation covered operational hours, recent tournaments and clinics, program enrollment and upcoming events, and plans for membership and sponsorships.

"Musco Sports Center opened to the general public on November 1, and since then we've had over 12,000 attendees in the facility through November and December," said the Parks & Recreation representative (S9). The facility operates daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., with free-use windows weekdays from 8–10 a.m. and 3–5 p.m., and extended hours for tournaments.

The presentation listed recent events — youth and adult softball and soccer tournaments, a baseball skills clinic — and partnerships with the Muscatine Community School District and the Musser Public Library. Staff said the Iowa Olympic Development program will hold sessions at the center through March and that several weekend tournaments are scheduled through April. Staff also noted outreach plans including a newcomers lunch and a planned scrimmage by University of Iowa and Iowa State University women's soccer teams on April 3.

Parks staff announced a live website, muscosportscenter.com, that allows users to view schedules, reserve courts and pay facility fees online. The presentation acknowledged a $10,000 sponsorship from the Merrill Hotel for signage at the facility and credited the Howe Foundation for funding the website design and two years of maintenance.

Blake, a Parks staff member, provided program details and fees: fall gymnastics enrollment was about 89 and winter enrollment about 65; adult coed volleyball fields 18 teams; the walking club had 25 signups the previous day. He said facility entry is $5 per person during non-free hours and that reserving a pickleball court costs $20 per hour. "That fee is $5 to get in during the non free times," Blake said when asked about pricing.

Council members praised the facility and the Parks team, and staff said they will return to council in two weeks with formal membership proposals. Staff also reminded the council of the facility's ribbon-cutting ceremony and other upcoming community events.

If approved by council later this month, membership tiers and sponsorship agreements would be the next formal actions taken on the center.