NORWALK, Iowa — From sports facilities to restaurants and hotels, new developments at Norwalk Central are attracting more visitors to the city.

The latest facility to open will be SportsPlex Norwalk. Inside, there is a 11,000-square-foot turf field and nine divider nets. Finishing touches are still being completed, but the facility is set to be completed between Monday and Wednesday. The facility will be a place for kids and athletes to play soccer, baseball, and softball inside.

The SportsPlex is located within the Gregg Young Sports Campus. Directly outside of the SportsPlex are the Fareway Fields, which are 10 acres of outdoor turf fields where multiple sports can be played. Also, next to the SportsPlex is the City State Bank Fieldhouse, which has indoor courts and tracks.

“This is a gathering spot. This is where, you know, these kinds of things are pretty unique because you want to be able to create something like this for the community, a great place for the kids to play, people to gather over the [next] 10, 20, 30 years,” said owner Mike Mahoney.

For more information on membership to the SportsPlex and booking cages, click here.

These sports facilities are all located on the Norwalk Central development, just off of Highway 28. The city has spent years developing this area of town, adding multiple attractions like restaurants and hotels.

Mayor Tom Phillips said they recently opened the city’s first hotel on Norwalk Central and are in the process of constructing another hotel. Soon, Norwalk will not only be home to the Fairfield Inn but also the Tru by Hilton Hotel.

The mayor also says the city is celebrating the opening of a new restaurant this week. Cooper’s Central Table and Cocktails will open on Wednesday, February 5th. The restaurant seats approximately 90 diners inside and has a patio.

The Norwalk Easter Public Library is also in the process of building a new library in Norwalk Central.

Mahoney says having all of these facilities near each other will motivate people to stay in the city and visit different amenities. For example, people in town for sports facilities like the SportsPlex may choose to dine at nearby restaurants.