RDG in the Media: Planning for Sport Complexes
In the January/February 2026 issue of Athletic Business, RDG's Jason Blome shares insights into planning and designing a successful sports complex.
Designing sports complexes often begins with a pro forma, a forecasting tool that estimates capital and operational costs, as well as revenue streams and economic impact. During the design and planning phase, asking the right questions helps lead a market to success and become a true one-stop tournament destination. Additionally, sports complex stakeholders must determine their desired potential to draw in business and plan accordingly. Many times during the development of these large sports complexes, many mixed-use developments are popping up right around them, which is a leading driver in the sports tourism boom right now.
RDG Landscape Architect and Senior Partner Jason Blome, PLA, ASLA, LEED AP, shares that during the design and planning phase, one essential first step is to understand what components are in demand in the market, noting that it may not just be field space. “It might be indoor court space, or ice hockey, and we must consider many factors to figure out those answers,” said Blome. He added that holding stakeholder meetings with various community groups or conducting surveys with community members effectively captures valuable insights.
Furthermore, designing for sports complexes entails considering several common aspects, including on-site parking, concessions, restrooms and seating. In addition to various amenities that create a destination, incorporating synthetic turf has become a popular solution due to its ability to allow teams to compete, regardless of the weather, once they arrive at the complex.
“From what we’ve seen, the facilities that have synthetic turf for their fields are the facilities that fill up first, because if you know you’re traveling for that weekend, you want to be pretty much guaranteed that you’re going to play,” concluded Blome.
RDG’s design for the University of South Dakota’s Wellness Center was also highlighted in the article, showcasing how an addition to a space can seamlessly blend both old and new while supporting recreation, athletics and community outreach.