Future Legends Complex
Map
Windsor is located in the United States
Windsor
Windsor
Location in the United States
Windsor is located in Colorado
Windsor
Windsor
Location in Colorado
Address801 Diamond Valley Dr.
LocationWindsor, Colorado, U.S.
Coordinates40°28′17″N 104°52′44″W / 40.47139°N 104.87889°W / 40.47139; -104.87889
Elevation4,770 ft (1,455 m)
Capacity2,800 fixed seats,
6,000 total
Construction
OpenedMay 23, 2023;
10 months ago (2023-05-23)
General contractorHensel Phelps Construction (before June 2021) / Jaco General Contractor Inc. (since June 2021)[1][2]
Tenants
Northern Colorado Owlz (PL) 2023–
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (USL1) 2023–
Website
futurelegendscomplex.com

Future Legends Complex is a 118-acre (48 ha) sports complex in the western United States, located in Windsor, Colorado, southeast of Fort Collins.[3]

On November 30, 2020, the Orem Owlz of the Pioneer League announced that they would move from Utah to Windsor and play as the Northern Colorado Owlz starting in the 2021 season.[4] In January 2021, they postponed their start date to 2022.[5]

It was also announced in January 2021 that Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC, a new soccer team in USL League One, would debut at Future Legends Sports Complex in 2022,[6] but the facility wasn't ready until 2023.[citation needed]

The Hailstorm and Owlz will begin play at TicketSmarter Stadium, located in the heart of the Future Legends Complex, in spring 2024. The stadium is expected to have a capacity of 6,500 for sporting events and over 20,000 for concerts and music performances. TicketSmarter will be the primary ticketing partner of the stadium in addition to being the title sponsor through 2032.[7]

The 118-acre (48 ha) complex features the 6,500-seat TicketSmarter Stadium, a secondary 2,500-seat capacity stadium, multiple baseball diamonds and multi-purpose fields, an indoor sports dome, an e-sports arena, Hilton-branded hotels, multiple restaurants retail locations, and will host guests for major sports tournaments, events, leagues, and more.[7]

Construction

The original contractor for the entire project was Hensel Phelps Construction out of Greeley, Colorado. Hensel Phelps had completed grading of the site, as well as construction of two multipurpose fields, and preliminary parking lot work.[8] In June 2021, however, construction was ordered halted by the United States Department of Agriculture in order to conduct environmental and historical studies on the location.

The USDA later ruled that no preservation work was necessary and that construction could resume. During this time, the general contractor changed from Hensel Phelps Construction to Jaco General Contractor of Wichita, Kansas.[1] According to social media for the complex, foundation work had commenced by August 2021.[citation needed]

TicketSmarter Stadium was expected to open in 2022.[7] Instead, the Owlz and Hailstorm played at Jackson Field at the University of Northern Colorado that year.[9][10] The sports complex partially opened on May 23, 2023, while the main stadium is expected for Spring 2024.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b High, Lucas (June 11, 2021). "Future Legends developer: USDA forced months-long work stoppage". Loveland Reporter-Herald. Retrieved July 15, 2021. During the work stoppage, Future Legends switched general contractors from Greeley-based Hensel Phelps Construction Co. to Jaco General Contractor Inc., Katofsky said.
  2. ^ Kellerman, Shelby (June 2, 2021). "Wichita's Jaco General Contractor lands contract on 118-acre sports complex in Colorado". Wichita Business Journal. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  3. ^ Blumhardt, Miles (August 12, 2020). "Colorado's Future Legends Sports Complex is under construction". Fort Collins Coloradoan. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  4. ^ Kirk, Alexander (November 30, 2020). "Orem Owlz announce move to Windsor, Colo. for 2021 MiLB season". KUSA (TV). Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  5. ^ Reichard, Kevin (January 21, 2021). "Northern Colorado Owlz to debut in 2022". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  6. ^ Howell, Chase (January 12, 2021). "Northern Colorado FC to join United Soccer League as expansion franchise in 2022". The Denver Post. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c "Future Legends Complex Announces Stadium Naming Rights and Ticket Sales Partnership with TicketSmarter". Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (Press release). Retrieved April 21, 2022.
  8. ^ "Future Legends Complex Shares Update on Construction". Sports Destination Management (Press release). December 9, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  9. ^ Reichard, Kevin (May 31, 2022). "NoCo Owlz to open season at Jackson Field". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  10. ^ Lytle, Kevin (June 1, 2022). "Northern Colorado minor league baseball, soccer teams begin home slate, but not at new stadium". Fort Collins Coloradoan. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  11. ^ "Future Legends complex provides fields for future stars in Northern Colorado". July 17, 2023.
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