A press conference was held on Wednesday after the largest air-supported sports dome in the world rose from the ground at SCHEELS Sports Park over the past two days; it is now fully inflated. Named for its sponsor, the Springfield Clinic Dome is expected to be open for youth sports competitions later this year.
The dome is part of the SCHEELS Sports Park development at Legacy Pointe that is also set to feature outdoor turf fields for baseball, softball, football, and soccer. The park is located behind the SCHEELS superstore on South MacArthur Boulevard in Springfield, just north of the Interstate 72 interchange.
The dome is 715 feet long and 275 feet wide – more than two football fields long – and 96 feet high at its peak. It will hold six full-size basketball courts that can be converted into 12 regulation volleyball courts, and it can also be configured for soccer and turf training areas.
Dirk McCormick, one of the developers of the SCHEELS Sports Park, stated that:
“It’s exciting to see the dome go up – a place where thousands of youth will begin playing in the foreseeable future. I’m sure that in recent months people have seen the construction equipment and the light posts for the outdoor fields as they drive by, but the dome is a remarkable landmark for our city.”
In a release on Wednesday, it was further explained that the New York-based ASATI company brought 60 years of innovative experience to the dome project. It has designed, engineered, and built more than 5,000 air structures and received 27 U.S. and Global patents for its structures, fabric, air-delivery apparatus, and interior lighting.
“We followed ASATI’s direction and used some of the same engineering concepts here in Springfield that they used previously for training facilities for 14 NFL teams,” said Chris Stritzel, project manager for the SCHEELS Sports Park. “ASATI tells us that they have seen a lot of these projects, and they are proud to say that the Springfield Clinic Dome is the largest air-supported sports structure in the world.”
He explained that the structure is inflated with sophisticated blowers that keep the dome pressurized at a safe level – backed up by generators in case of a power outage – and that it can withstand external elements such as high winds and heavy snow.
In the next few months, construction crews will be installing the lighting, insulation, divider curtains, netting, and athletic flooring inside the dome.
“That makes it likely the dome will be ready for indoor basketball, volleyball or soccer before the end of 2025,” McCormick said. Tournaments on the outdoor fields at SCHEELS Sports Park are expected to begin in the spring of 2026.
Jen Boyer, CEO of Springfield Clinic, spoke at the conference as well:
“We’re excited to have this facility named the Springfield Clinic Dome. As the Official Health and Performance Partner of SCHEELS Sports Park at Legacy Pointe, we see this as our opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind destination that reflects the growing alignment between the healthcare and fitness industries. In addition to services like athletic training, physical therapy, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and general wellness, this location will also include a multi-specialty urgent care. Our vision is to help every person realize their potential. There’s an athlete in everyone, and we’re here to help you find yours.”
Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher congratulated the developers and sponsors and hailed the dome’s rising as a visible indicator of Springfield’s progress. “When I became mayor, so many people implored me to get this project across the finish line,” she said. “That’s why the city is doing everything we can to support this development. What a BIG day for Springfield.”
Mayor Buscher with dome at SCHEELS Sprots Park in Springfield in background (Credit: Greg Halbleib; WMAY)
“This public-private partnership can be a model of how to get BIG things done in Springfield,” said Ryan McCrady, president and CEO of the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance. “We should be proud of everyone involved and grateful for the developers, Dirk McCormick and Steve Luker, for having the vision for this transformational project and leading us to the finish line.”
