LakePoint Starts Construction Process in Emerson, Bartow

More than three years of planning and design, LakePoint Sporting Community & Town Center has started the construction process to convert more than 1,200 acres of rocky terrain and rolling hills in Bartow County into a state-of-the-art, premier tournament vacation destination.

"When you set out to build the world’s largest and most unique sporting venue, it requires the efforts of many individuals, companies and government agencies to work together around a single vision," LakePoint Sports Development Partner Judy Sparks said in a release. "We have been blessed to have the cooperation and support of the city of Emerson, Bartow County and the local citizens who see the big picture and understand the positive economic impact this development will have—bringing more than 4 million visitors a year and creating more than 26,000 jobs at full build-out."

LakePoint will feature state-of-the-art venues for more than 20 of America’s favorite sports, and five million square feet of mixed-use development, but its South campus will be the first phase to be completed. Its first venue, , followed by baseball and soccer/lacrosse venues in 2014.

Since 2010, Wakefield Beasley & Associates has been researching unique aspects of dozens of different sports parks, athletic complexes and mixed-use centers throughout the world. Firm Principal, Lamar Wakefield, was tasked with turning the LakePoint vision and the collective data he and the Wakefield Beasley team gathered into a reality.

"LakePoint is not only a state-of-the-art facility for athletes to hone their skills, it is a vacation destination for the whole family," said Wakefield. "Our design has to encompass what an athlete’s needs are, as well as designing a one-of-a-kind vacation resort."

Transforming the massive swath of undeveloped land into a mecca of athletic activities is general contractor Brasfield & Gorrie LLC of Kennesaw. The construction process will require moving more than 15 million cubic yards of dirt, which will be the largest dirt movement in the history of Georgia.

LakePoint has brought together the best tournament operators and organizations as partners and long-term tenants, including Perfect Game USA, the No. 1 baseball scouting organization in America and Braveheart, a joint-venture between North Atlanta Soccer Association, one of the largest soccer clubs in Southeast and LB3 Lacrosse, the leading provider of camps and tournaments for girls and boys lacrosse.

In November 2012, two of the world’s most recognized brands announced partnerships with LakePoint, The Coca-Cola Company and Bass Pro Shops. Bass Pro Shops, America’s most popular outdoor store, will open a 104,000-square-foot Bass Pro Shops Outpost store at LakePoint. In addition to being the exclusive beverage provider, The Coca-Cola Company also will build its first POWERADE Sports Safety and Hydration Lab at LakePoint.

Tell us what you think in the comments, share your photos and videos, and don’t miss any of the local news you care about—subscribe to Cartersville Patch's newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

• GDOT OKs Road Contract for LakePoint Sporting Community
• North Georgia Residents Asked to Participate in LakePoint Health Survey
• Report: Coca-Cola Lab Set for LakePoint
• Plans Take Shape for Mini America Park at LakePoint
• LakePoint Breaks Ground: Are You Excited?
• What Are They Saying About LakePoint?
• Wake Park Closes on Land at LakePoint
• LakePoint Pushes Opening to 2014

For even more on LakePoint, see Cartersville Patch's special section dedicated to the development: LakePoint Sporting Community & Town Center.