DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – Developing a new sports complex is one of the Dubuque City Council’s top priorities for the upcoming year.

A sports complex could create more than 1,000 jobs and generate at least $20 million in annual revenue for local businesses, according to a study commissioned by the Dubuque Racing Association.

81% of the 2,031 people surveyed by the DRA thought Dubuque’s current sports facilities are insufficient, and 36% said they leave the region for suitable facilities for training practices and league play.

“I have two kids, so I did one with basketball and one with baseball, so I’ve lived that life,” recalls Loras College Athletic Director Denise Udelhofen. “It’d be nice at least one weekend, I mean, not every weekend are you going to be here, but at least it’d be nice to have one weekend where you can stay home and compete at home.”

Dubuque City Council Member Ric Jones says it’s a wish he hears frequently.

“We’ve heard a lot from a lot of parents over the last decade and a half who are driving all over God’s green earth to get kids to various sporting events,” says Jones.

Jones says that’s why the city is prioritizing sports complex development next fiscal year. Much is still unknown about the sports complex, including how much it will cost, what it would feature, and where it would be located.

“I do know we’ve heard enough from enough folks that it’s an essential piece of the Dubuque puzzle,” says Jones.

Udelhofen says the complex would help Loras College recruit students.

“People come to Dubuque. They see how beautiful Dubuque is, somewhere that they might want to come to college, so anytime we can get students to Dubuque, that’s a plus,” says Udelhofen. “When we go recruiting, we go to Bettendorf, we go to Iowa City, we go to Cedar Rapids. If our coaches could stay in Dubuque, I know they would love that.”

Developing a new sports complex is one of seven top priorities set by the council last week (in alphabetical order):

Commercial Air Service Future Strategy and Action Plan to Sustain and Expand
Comprehensive Fire Station Location and Facilities Study
Fire Department Staffing Increases
Police Department: Full Staffing and Hiring
Stormwater Management Investments and Implementation
Sanitary Sewer Investments and Implementation
Sports Complex Development

The city also set additional high priorities (in alphabetical order):

Continued Implementation of Central Avenue Revitalization Plan
Downtown Master Plan Update
Dubuque Law Enforcement Center (DLEC) Short-Term Facility Enhancements and Future Plan
East-West Corridor/Roundabouts Projects
Next Phases of Chaplain Schmitt Island Development
Parks and Recreation Master Plan Adoption and Implementation
Water Resource and Recovery Center Facility and Process Improvements and Odor Reduction