First Pitch, Family Fun Set For New Lenox's Wintrust Crossroads Sports Complex Grand Opening

NEW LENOX, IL — Just more than a year after its groundbreaking, the Village of New Lenox is set to celebrate the first pitch at its Wintrust Crossroads Sports Complex.

The massive, $70 million complex is touted as one of Mayor Tim Baldermann's "legacy projects"—one he says residents will see the benefits of for years to come.

"This sports complex was built as an economic development for our community," Baldermann told Patch. "The I-355 corridor is chock-full of warehouses and trucking. We wanted something more valuable for this prime real estate, especially being next to the hospital and medical campus. Not only will young people be able to play competitive sports on a first class facility, but the amenities that will come to that area will benefit New Lenox for decades to come."

Located next to top-ranked Silver Cross Hospital, the complex sits on 100 acres, with over 10 acres of real estate dedicated for restaurant, retail, and/or hotel use. With more than 2.2 million visitors to the hospital annually, Baldermann saw the land as ripe with opportunity to build something that will leave a lasting impacting, he said previously.

"We just really knew we could do something special here," Baldermann previously told Patch. "That’s what this development is."

The facility boasts 9 full-size turf fields that can be converted into youth baseball or softball fields, or 11 multi-purpose fields for soccer, lacrosse, and flag football. There's also two concession stands, a beer garden, a playground, and batting cages. Still to come is a 140,000-sq. ft. fieldhouse that will include 10 basketball courts that can be converted into 20 volleyball courts. The Village worked with experts including Northern Builders, JLG Architects, Spaceco civil engineering and surveying, Bolton & Menk landscape architects, Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd., and The Sports Facilities Companies in bringing the concept to fruition.

"The Wintrust Crossroads Sports Complex is a game-changer for New Lenox and the surrounding region," said Scott Brost, general manager of the complex. "It's not just about the state-of-the-art fields; it's about the incredible economic impact it will have, attracting visitors and boosting local businesses. Beyond that, it provides an invaluable asset for our community's youth, fostering healthy lifestyles, teamwork, and offering a premier venue for athletes to develop their skills. This complex truly represents a significant investment in the well-being and prosperity of our community for decades to come."

The complex's logo is a nod to the Village's history as "Home of Proud Americans." The logo features shades of blue, with red and white accents. In May, the Village announced that Wintrust Financial Corporation had purchased the naming rights in a $375,000 deal that spans three years.

“As a partner, Wintrust brings with it a first-class reputation that we feel is representative of our first-class facility. The Wintrust Crossroads Sports Complex of New Lenox partnership is a continuation of our already-established long term relationship,” Baldermann said, when the naming rights were announced. “Wintrust has been a long-time partner of the Village of New Lenox, and we are thankful for their commitment to Wintrust Crossroads Sports Complex that will positively impact New Lenox and the surrounding region.”

Baldermann said the complex is a big economic driver, expected to pay for itself. The Village dug into its reserves to purchase the land, paying $8.25 million in cash. With a focus on hosting regional athletic tournaments, the complex is projected to have a $12 million economic impact in Year 1, $20 million in Year 3. The economic impact of the entire project is estimated to bring in over $34 million annually, with 600,000 visitors annually once fully operational.

Direct visitor spending projections have jumped from $12.8M to $37M, nearly tripling from original estimates, Youth Sports Business Report recently reported. The corporate sponsor roster includes the naming rights deals worth $375,000 and seven-year partnerships exceeding $350,000.

Other revenue streams locked in include deals with PepsiCo, Beggars Pizza, and Silver Cross Hospital, as reported by Youth Sports Business Report. Phillips Chevrolet claimed championship field naming rights, and Gas N Wash paid for parking lot naming rights.

"The numbers reveal something significant happening in youth sports business," according to the report. "This isn’t just another success story. It’s a blueprint showing how strategic partnerships, aggressive marketing, and smart facility design can transform municipal sports investments from budget burdens into economic engines."

The complex will host its first tournament July 4 weekend, and every weekend is booked through June 2026.

"I would also like to thank our incredible village staff, our amazing park district, Northern Builders for constructing a first-class facility so quickly, Sports Facilities and JLG Architects," Baldermann said. "New Lenox will once again be "on the map' for this legacy project."

The community is invited to the opening festivities, Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29.

SATURDAY, JUNE 28

• 5 p.m.: Opening Ceremony
• 5:15 p.m.: First Pitch with the Mayor & Youth Athletes (Championship Field #3)
• 5:30-9 p.m.: Field Activities, Passport Stations, DJ, Concessions

SUNDAY, JUNE 29

• 12 to 4 p.m.: Family Fun Day

The free event is open to everyone. There will be food for sale at cashless concession stands, and plenty of parking on-site.

The festivities feature a variety of games, contests, and competitions across all of the fields of the sports complexes, and all are welcome to participate. Attendees will also enjoy bounce houses, face painters, a variety of food and beverage options, and plenty of free giveaways throughout the weekend.

Different activities will be offered at each field and in the Pepsi Play/Beer Garden.

• Field 1: Wiffle Ball
• Field 2: Fitness stations by New Lenox Crossfit

• Field 3: Throwing and hitting challenge, ceremony and photo backdrop by Phillips Chevrolet
• Field 4: Kickball, by the New Lenox Community Park District
• Field 5: Soccer drills by the New Lenox Soccer Association
• Field 6: Picnic Games and Face Painters
• Field 7: Inflatables by the Village of New Lenox
• Field 8: Foam archery stations by BowDoc Archery
• Field 9: Open Play Sports Activities

Pepsi Play / Beer Garden: Wintrust Money Grab and Face Painter

Find out more about the grand opening weekend on the complex's website.