2-story sports complex may come to Oak Creek
Indoor facility could have multiple basketball courts
An indoor sports complex complete with daycare and commercial space has been proposed for Oak Creek.
Mayor Dan Bukiewicz called the project a “regional opportunity” for the area. He said there is “nothing this modern or technically advanced” currently offered.
The Oak Creek plan commission approved the plan review unanimously at its Feb. 25 meeting.
“This is really exciting, it’s something very unique for southeast Wisconsin,”
Bukiewicz said.
The proposed two-story building, set to be called “Milwaukee Yard” at 7869 S. 13th St., is 101,217 square feet.
The first floor will hold two indoor fields. According to City Planner Kari Papelbon, the plans include offerings such as soccer, baseball, football lacrosse and cheerleading. Parties, leagues and tournaments are expected at the site, she said.
A program called “After School Sports” will be offered at Milwaukee Yard for before and after-school activities. Hours of operation are suggested to be 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week, according to city documents.
Floor plans
The first floor plans also include eight spaces ranging from 850 to 1,100 square feet designed for commercial tenants. While concessions will be offered onsite, owner and developer Bill Gust said there are no tenants planned, but he hopes to have at least one bar or restaurant.
A full-service daycare facility with an outdoor play area is also proposed for the site.
The second-floor plans showed four courts, which Gust of HB Investments said could potentially be for basketball. The second floor only fills half the
building due to the two fields on the first floor requiring a high ceiling.
Commissioner and Alderman Greg Loreck said he has received mostly positive feedback from residents since the project was brought to light.
Gust said the naming was “all search engine” driven, despite its location in Oak Creek. Bukiewicz said the name played into the idea that it would be a regional destination.
The development would be part of a planned unit development approved in 2019 between the city and Highgate, LLC.
To the north is a 300-unit apartment development called Hub 13. Wingspan Development Group LLC, based in Illinois, plans to begin construction in spring 2020 on the $57 million project. That plan includes six three-story buildings with 40 units and three twostory buildings comprised of 20 units each.
There are two similar facilities to Milwaukee Yard in Chicago named Naperville Yard and Westmont Yard. Those facilities are also operated by Gust.