Clinton County Sportsplex to Expand Youth Sports Opportunities and Economic Growth in Aviston; Founders Continue Business Development Partnership with Illinois SBDC for the[...]

Clinton County Sportsplex to Expand Youth Sports Opportunities and Economic Growth in Aviston; Founders Continue Business Development Partnership with Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE

New indoor sports facility will provide year-round training space while strengthening recreation and regional development

A new indoor sports facility is set to bring expanded athletic opportunities and year-round training space to Clinton County. Clinton County Sportsplex, founded by Melinda and Ryan Voss, is designed to meet the growing demand for indoor sports facilities while supporting youth athletics, local families, and economic development throughout the region.

Located in Aviston, the 15,000-square-foot facility will feature two full-size courts that can accommodate basketball and volleyball, a 5,000-square-foot indoor turf field, four full-size batting cages, and two advanced HitTrax baseball and softball simulators, technology currently unavailable elsewhere in the surrounding area. The Sportsplex will also include a concession area and plans to host basketball and volleyball tournaments as the business grows. A fully automated reservation system will allow customers to reserve space, make payments and access the facility through a mobile app, creating a convenient and modern user experience.

The idea for Clinton County Sportsplex grew from the Voss' firsthand experience as parents of active young athletes. As participation in travel baseball, club volleyball, and select basketball continued to grow, they recognized a significant shortage of indoor practice facilities in rural communities, particularly during winter weather and periods of extreme summer heat.

"We saw families traveling long distances just to find practice space," Voss said. "Our goal is to provide a high-quality facility close to home where young athletes can train year-round and where local families have greater access to recreational opportunities."

The decision to build in Aviston was both practical and personal. The couple had previously established a successful business in the community and already owned property adjacent to that location. Combined with Aviston's central location within Clinton County and the strong support they received from local leaders, the site proved to be an ideal location for the project.

As the Voss' developed the Sportsplex, they once again partnered with the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, building on a relationship that began nearly a decade ago when launching their first business.

Working alongside the SBDC, they developed comprehensive business plans, refined financial projections and prepared funding presentations for lenders. Beyond financial planning, the SBDC also helped identify operational considerations ranging from security systems and marketing strategies to legal requirements and liability planning.

"Developing a business plan involves far more than most people realize," Voss said. "The SBDC helped us think through every aspect of the business and prepared us to confidently present our vision to the bank. Their guidance has been invaluable."

The Sportsplex founders credit the SBDC with helping transform an initial concept into a comprehensive business plan that positioned the project for financing and long-term success. They also emphasized the value of having experienced advisors who challenged them to think beyond day-to-day operations and prepare for future growth.

"It's been an honor to work with Melinda and Ryan. Their dedication has turned hard work into real success, and I look forward to continuing to support the Voss family every step of the way in this new venture," says SBDC Director Jo Ann Di Maggio May.

Construction is now underway, with community excitement continuing to grow as residents anticipate the Sportsplex becoming a regional destination for youth athletics, recreation, tournaments and community engagement. Once complete, the facility is expected to serve athletes and families from across Clinton County and the surrounding Metro East region while supporting local businesses through increased visitor traffic and sports tourism.

About Clinton County Sportsplex
Founded by Melinda and Ryan Voss, Clinton County Sportsplex is a new indoor sports and recreation facility under development in Aviston, Illinois. The 15,000-square-foot complex will provide year-round training opportunities for basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, soccer, football, and other athletic activities through indoor courts, turf space, batting cages, and advanced HitTrax simulator technology.

About the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE
The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East assists entrepreneurs as well as existing business owners operating in the nine-county Metro East region of Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe, and Randolph counties. The SBDC enhances the region's economic interests by providing one-stop assistance through counseling, training, research, and advocacy for new ventures and existing small businesses.

SBDC offices in Illinois are funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement among the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as a service to the community.

To learn how these no-cost services may help your business venture, contact the Metro East SBDC at (618) 650-2929 or [email protected].

PHOTO: Ryan and Melinda Voss with their two children