A look at the Southwest Missouri high school football, athletic indoor facilities
The Joplin area got a head start, but the Springfield area is catching up. Strafford opened its 50-yard indoor football field in 2022, which was followed by Ozark's in 2024. Nixa and Logan-Rogersville will open theirs this summer, while Republic will break ground on its $22 million facility in the coming months.
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Administrators believe more will be built across the state over the next decade. Springfield Public Schools plans to build one in the next few years for its five high schools.
Here's a look at the indoor facilities across the region.
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Carl Junction
Opened: 2016
Cost: Part of a $13.5 million project
Carl Junction built a storm shelter that doubles as a multi-purpose indoor practice facility with artificial turf and batting cages.
Carthage
Opened: 2019
Cost: $2.2 million
The Tiger Activity Center (TAC) opened in Fall 2019 with a 40-yard indoor football field, plus a 10-yard endzone. About $1.5 million came from the Kent D. & Mary L. Steadley Memorial Trust, with $500,000 coming from the McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital Trust. Another $300,000 was raised by local patrons.
Cassville
Opened: Unclear
Cost: Unclear
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Messages to Cassville regarding its indoor facility went unreturned. The Wildcats have had one on campus since at least 2009.
Logan-Rogersville
Opening: 2025
Cost: Part of a $32 million bond
Voters approved a no-tax-increase bond in April 2022, which provided the Rogersville school district $32 million to construct and renovate classrooms at its schools, build and renovate libraries, construct a storm shelter, improve athletic facilities, and develop its indoor athletics facility.
The indoor facility includes a 50-yard football field, a new weight room, coaches' offices, batting cages, locker rooms, a sky bridge connecting it to the high school and several other additions. A full turfed football practice field will reside right outside the building.
Marshfield
Opened: 2025
Cost: Part of a $10 million bond issue
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Marshfield recently opened a multi-purpose building that was part of a 2023 bond issue with no tax increase. The issue also included constructing a storm shelter and expanding the agriculture department shop.
The storm shelter was built with the idea of also using it as a multi-purpose building, which includes space for athletic practices.
Neosho
Opened: 2021
Cost: Part of a $22 million bond issue
Neosho opened the La-Z-Boy End Zone Facility in 2021. It features a 40-yard football field plus a 10-yard endzone, batting cages, locker rooms, a weight room and coaches' offices.
The facility was approved by Neosho's "Next Step Ballot Measure" in June 2020 and received an additional $400,000 from La-Z-Boy Midwest. The $22 million bond issue also included the creation of a performing arts center among other projects.
Opening: 2025
Cost: $18 million
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Nixa is in the final stages of completing its indoor facility after a $47 million bond issue with no tax increase was approved in April 2023. The building cost $18 million, and the school is also looking to update its technology, renovate classrooms, and build storm shelters.
Dubbed "The Apex," the indoor facility will feature a full-sized football field and additional space for soccer. It will also house the football locker rooms, community spaces, film rooms, golf simulators, and more. The facility also includes concession stands that will be used when Nixa hopes to build baseball and softball facilities on campus in the near future.
Inside the new Ozark High School activities center on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024.
Opened: August 2024
Cost: Part of a $19 million bond issue
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Voters approved a no-tax-increase bond issue in April 2022, allowing Ozark to open its indoor athletics facility. The bond issue also allowed the district to build storm shelters at Ozark Middle School and Tiger Pay, an early childhood center.
Republic
Scheduled opening: August 2026
Cost: $22 million
Republic will soon break ground on its indoor athletics facility after a no-tax-increase bond issue was approved last month. The building, which will cost around $22 million, will be located behind the high school.
The Tigers will have a full indoor football field that includes drop-down batting cages. It will be part of a brick building that also houses classrooms, a band room, a weight room and coaching offices. There will also be a room dedicated to JROTC.
Strafford
Opened: 2022
Cost: Part of a $7.5 million bond issue
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Strafford's "HPER Building" (for health, physical education, and recreation) was voted on as part of a $7.5 million bond issue passed in 2019. The building features a 50-yard football field and a 10-yard endzone. It also includes additional classrooms, batting cages and other features for other sports.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield area indoor high school football, athletic facilities
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