Ice rinks to skee-ball: Phase 1 of this massive sports entertainment complex opening in JoCo after 20 years in the works

Once completed: ‘You’ll come here for a three-day weekend and not see your car until you leave on Sunday’

One of two ice rinks at AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluhawk in Overland Park; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

With its highly-anticipated opening this weekend, a sprawling new sports and recreation complex in south Johnson County is expected to soon spark fights between parents over who gets to take their kid to the weekend tournament, joked Greg Jackson.

“Most tournaments —  I’m a parent of four — you go to a venue, you’re stuck in a gymnasium, and there’s not much to do,” said Jackson, general manager of AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluhawk in Overland Park. “Well, that is definitely not the case here.”

“This is going to truly be a destination for Kansas City, the metro, the tri-state area, and surrounding states,” he continued, during a preview event for the site. “People are going to want to come here. They’re going to want to spend time here and to stay here. It’s going to have an economic impact.”

A grand opening Saturday marks the completion of the first phase of construction, opening 260,000 square feet of the entire 420,000-square-foot multi-sport and recreation complex.

Rendering of the full build-out for AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluhawk in Overland Park

Greg Jackson, general manager of AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluhawk, gives tours during a preview event at AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluhawk in Overland Park; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

“Our mission is to dramatically improve the health and economic vitality in the communities that we serve,” said Patrick O’Brien, vice president of venue management for Sports Facilities Companies. “We have the privilege to manage facilities like Bluhawk all over the country, but this is a shining star. This is one of the most diverse venues that we will manage and are managing.”

Sports Facilities Companies anticipates 3.8 million visitors annually to the Sports Park.

Patrick O’Brien, vice president of venue management for Sports Facilities Companies, speaks during a preview event at AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluhawk in Overland Park; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

“We will also host over 80 events in 2025 and those events are going to bring significant economic impact to this community and to this region,” O’Brien continued. “The sports that we can accommodate here at the AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluhawk include basketball, volleyball, ice hockey, figure skating, soccer, football, swimming, baseball training, pickleball, martial arts, cheer, wrestling and also esports.” 

Plans for the sports facility include an NHL-regulated-sized ice rink, eight basketball courts (convertible to16 volleyball/pickleball courts), a 40,000-square-foot turf field, locker rooms, a sports performance training center, a grab-and-go cafe, a bar/grill, and event space, according to Sports Facilities Companies. Its family entertainment center will be home to arcade games, bowling, laser tag, an esports center, sports simulators, and a roll glider.

Phase 2 will include another ice rink, a miniature golf concept, a restaurant, and more event space, Jackson said.

“What we’re standing in is the culmination of a lot of work, a lot of effort that started several years ago,” noted Bart Lowen, vice president of development for Price Brothers Management Company. “The ground that we’re on here we bought in 2004 and went through a lot of different iterations to bring the development that we’re seeing a major phase of right now. This is just the first phase of a larger sports facility and a larger project.”

Bart Lowen, vice president of development for Price Brothers Management Company, speaks during a preview event at AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluhawk in Overland Park; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

The Sports Park will eventually be anchored by The Boundary — the district’s entertainment zone — which will include walkable retail, dining, lodging, a movie theater, and green spaces. Construction on The Boundary is expected to take 18 to 24 months.

“That means a great quality of life for the family,” Lowen explained. “You’ll come here for a three-day weekend and not see your car until you leave on Sunday.”

Dallas Purkeypile, president and CEO of AdventHealth South Overland Park, speaks during a preview event at AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluhawk in Overland Park; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

“This facility is a game changer for youth sports, offering top-tier facilities where kids can develop their skills and compete at the highest levels,” O’Brien added, who noted the facility will also have open gym time for basketball and volleyball, public skate times, and pickleball membership packages. “And not only for kids, we’re also going to create opportunities for families.”

AdventHealth purchased the land from the Price Brothers in 2013 and started developing the 300-acre Bluhawk District, Sports Facilities Companies noted, which will also include ​​multi-family homes, office space, and healthcare facilities. 

“This complex is not just a place for sports, it’s a community hub, where families can come together and engage in activities that promote health and well being,” said Dallas Purkeypile, president and CEO of AdventHealth South Overland Park. “We know that the mental and physical benefits of sports and recreation extend well beyond the athletes themselves. They resonate with families who cheer and community members who come to support their youth.”

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