News Summary

A new athletic facility, the Tiger Athletic Community Center, is being built in Oceana County, Michigan, with a budget of $8.9 million. Slated for completion by February 2026, this center will provide indoor athletic spaces for families and promote local health initiatives. Key features include a children’s play area, arcade, rock-climbing wall, and more. Funded through state appropriations and community support, the center aims to enhance recreational facilities in the region.

Oceana County, MI

A new athletic facility, named the Tiger Athletic Community Center, is currently under construction in Oceana County, Michigan, with the project budget pegged at $8.9 million. This state-of-the-art facility intends to address the shortage of indoor athletic spaces in rural communities, particularly during the winter months, and is slated for completion by late February 2026.

Situated next to the newly established Shelby Township Community Park, the center will span 65,000 square feet and is designed to cater to families from Oceana County and surrounding areas including Ludington and Muskegon. It aims to provide a versatile space for group classes, exercise sessions, travel sports teams, and tournaments, making it a valuable asset for promoting local health and wellness.

Facility Features

The Tiger Athletic Community Center will include a variety of amenities to engage visitors of all ages. Notable features encompass:

• A dedicated children’s play area available for rent for birthday parties
• An arcade room
• A pizza room
• A bouncy house
• A slide
• An 18-foot rock-climbing wall with patterns tailored for different age groups
• A reading room that will host arts and crafts activities

The facility will employ a “pay to play” system where fees will be adjusted based on locality, thereby encouraging local residents to actively participate in community-driven athletic activities.

Funding and Support

The construction of the center has garnered support through various funding sources, including:

• $2.5 million in state appropriations from State Senator Jon Bumstead
• $50,000 from Oceana County’s ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds
• $300,000 in Michigan Spark grants
• Additional funding accrued through private donations and corporate sponsorships

This mix of financial support reflects a community effort to invest in infrastructure that promotes athleticism and family engagement in Oceana County.

Community Engagement

The Tiger Athletic Community Center project was officially approved in 2023, with construction kicking off in March of the same year. The center aims to build upon the existing enthusiasm cultivated by the Shelby Township Community Park, which has already seen approximately 110,000 visitors since its opening last year. The park itself spans 35 acres and includes a 1.3-mile paved walking trail, sports fields, a playground, and a dog park.

The establishment of both the park and the athletic center has emerged from community planning initiatives focused on enhancing public spaces and promoting outdoor activities, which gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic. The township’s supervisor, Richard Raffaelli, underscores the center’s importance in offering safe spaces for children, particularly those born in winter, as well as accommodating family functions such as parties.

In summary, Oceana County is set to gain a significant community asset with the development of the Tiger Athletic Community Center, reflecting a concerted effort to enhance local recreational facilities and foster a sense of community through health and wellness activities.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• MLive: $8.9M Indoor Athletic Facility Coming to West Michigan Township
• Wikipedia: Oceana County, Michigan
• MLive: New $56 Million Michigan Park Attracts 110K Visitors in First Year
• Google Search: Michigan athletic facilities
• Fox17: What’s on the Ballot in West Michigan This May
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Community
• Oceana County Press: Shelby Township to Receive $2.5 Million Grant for Sports Complex
• Google News: Oceana County news