Boyne Mountain Resort Building New Sports Complex
BOYNE FALLS, Mich. (AP) - A Michigan resort that's known as a skiing and golf destination plans to build a sports complex that aims to make the site a regional destination for training and competitions in other sports.
The Boyne Mountain Resort complex initially will cater primarily to lacrosse, but long-term plans call for attracting soccer events and other field sports to Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula.
"Our new complex brings an emerging market that will revolutionize our summer business, as well as have a significant economic impact on the region," Ed Grice, Boyne Mountain's president and general manager, said in a statement.
This year, Boyne Mountain built a single field on resort property for lacrosse. The resort announced Monday it plans to add two additional fields as early as spring 2015 to cater to events and tournaments while the sports complex is being constructed.
Initial construction has begun on the sports complex site, which will be located on 200 acres across from an entrance to Boyne Mountain Resort. The complex is expected to offer six grass fields and open in summer 2016. Up to nine fields could be created in all.
"The land is ideally suited for these fields," Grice adds. "The plot was previously farmland and the slope drops only three inches from the front of the property to the back, with substantial expansion capacity for future growth."
The complex also will offer restroom facilities as well as food and beverage concessions. It will be the latest attraction at the year-round resort, which also offers activities including an indoor waterpark, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, disc golf and mountain biking.
Boyne Mountain has partnered with Kentwood-based True Lacrosse to host events in 2015, with an expanded schedule expected in 2016.
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