This story originally appeared in the inaugural edition of the Owensboro Times quarterly newspaper.
Groundwork underway for indoor sports facility
Construction on downtown Owensboro’s indoor sports facility is progressing, with crews focused on deep foundation work. Assistant City Manager Lelan Hancock said roughly 230 foundation piles are installed, and contractors are working on pile caps and reinforcement rebar before pouring concrete. Despite winter delays, the project remains on track for a June 2026 opening.
The 88,000-square-foot facility, which broke ground in August 2024, will feature numerous basketball and volleyball courts; a modular turf field for sports like futsal, pickleball, cornhole, cheerleading, and archery; and a 9,200-square-foot mezzanine for spectators.
Hancock emphasized the economic benefits, noting that sports tourism generates significant revenue for communities. He compared early skepticism about the facility to past concerns over the Greenbelt, which has since become one of Owensboro’s most popular amenities.
Located at 3rd and Cedar streets, the facility will be managed by OVG 360, which also currently manages the Owensboro Convention Center, Sportscenter, and RiverPark Center.
Riverfront Brio development moving forward
Despite significant delays due to supply chain issues, weather, and other factors, construction on the Riverfront Brio development is advancing in downtown Owensboro. The project, across from the Owensboro Convention Center, will include a 144-room Home2 Suites hotel, 117 apartment homes, and a parking garage — all housed within a single structure designed to enhance downtown’s hospitality and residential offerings.
The hotel will open first, with the latest project being this summer. After the hotel opens, construction on the apartment portion of the facility will continue, and the central courtyard will remain closed during that process.
The bottom floor of the structure, which covers a little more than 10,000 square feet, will be reserved for retail space. Developers say they will build out the space to suit tenant needs.
The developers said Brio aims to create a dynamic live-work-play environment in the city’s core, adding that they believe the project will catalyze future growth and tourism in Owensboro.
