Messenger Photo by Britt Kudla: The new pavilion in the Fort Dodge Corridor Plaza area continues to be nearing completion.
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a multipart series that explores the direct benefits of the new Pavilion Complex at the Fort Dodge Hallway Plaza. Here, Ryan Mail discusses the benefits the facility offers to the basketball community.
The Pavilion is a game changer for Fort Dodge sports enthusiasts and travel ball families. Its impressive design, including five full basketball courts, sets the stage for an action-packed experience, whether you’re a player, coach, or audience. The pure scale and capabilities of the facility attract athletes and fans from Iowa and the Midwest, promote a sense of community and competition, and create opportunities for large tournaments.
What really sets the pavilion apart is its efficiency. All actions take place under one roof. The property replicates the metro area amenities that Fort Dodgers only experienced after packing his car and traveling to a larger community. The days of juggling multiple locations for games are over. Everything is centralized, streamlines scheduling and operations, and improves the overall experience for players and fans.
The pavilion offers greater convenience than the traditional options at Fort Dodge. One outstanding feature is the extended availability of time. Unlike gyms in schools that are restricted by extracurricular activities, pavilions are designed to be first-hand for users. This means you’ll have more opportunities for practice, games and training sessions, and you’ll still have options right after school day is over. This rich court will allow more teams and players to use the facility at once, allowing bigger events, such as tournaments and leagues, to run seamlessly.
And don’t forget to pay for the courts. Pavilion’s main location makes it easy to explore nearby easy-to-see food facilities. Perfect for post-game celebrations and quick bites between games. Whether you’re drinking coffee, bumping into stores for shopping or enjoying a deserved snack, the surrounding area adds extra fun to the pavilion experience.
Overall, the Pavilion is more than just a basketball complex. It is a hub of excitement, community and convenience that promises unforgettable moments on and off the court, and a solution for a smoother and more efficient sports experience. More time, fewer courts, and fewer scheduling headaches means more time to focus on the love of the game.
Over the years, through basketball, I have traveled short distances to small neighbouring schools, large facilities in Iowa’s metropolitan cities, very large venues around the Midwest, and the largest national tournaments. My cumulative experience as a player, coach and parent forms the basis of my basketball knowledge.
As a former All-state basketball player and traveler at Fort Dodge Senior High, I learned firsthand what it takes to perform at a high level, both physical commitment and mental toughness. Competing locally and statewide through the AAU travel team, I hone my skills, stimulated my competitive spirit, and gave me a deep appreciation for the complexity of the game.
The transition from player to coach has helped me lead my passion into leadership. I moved around intentionally and stopped coaching in Waukee, West Des Moine Valley, Galvaholstein, Southeast Webster and Fort Dodge. Each stop teamed up with high quality mentors and experienced coaches who I have always learned more about the game. Coaching was just as rewarding as it was, and coaching many of the kids in Fort Dodge was a blessing. It’s humble to see so many people on the Varsity roster at St. Edmond and Fort Dodge Senior High. If there was a pavilion and that option when I started coaching kids, I can imagine how much I could do.
Adding another layer to my basketball resume is my role as a parent of four kids, and everyone is deeply involved in basketball. Each child navigates his own path, but all have the commonality that at some point they are taught by their father. This journey has brought me a new perspective as I deepened my connections with the games and the kids and witnessed their growth and development on the court.
My basketball journey is vast and diverse, shaped by years of dedication, experience and a deep love for the game. Basketball is more than a sport for me. It is a lifelong journey filled with enduring connections, valuable life lessons, and opportunities to create unimaginable memories. Well, the pavilion brings it to our backyard!
The unique pride from Fort Dodge comes from a sense of community, resilience, and a shared love for our rich basketball history. Fort Dodge basketball is more than just a game. It is a source of tradition, inspiration, and symbolizes the achievement of effort and determination. Whether you’re a Dodger or a Frog, there’s a collective willingness to express our hometown with grit and heart, reminding everyone that greatness is not reserved in the Metro area alone.
The pavilion is a testament to our community’s commitment to cultivating the next generation of athletes. It’s not just a space. That’s an opportunity. It provides children with the resources, facilities and mentorship they need to develop skills, build confidence and dream. Early morning and late night practices are countless dedication that lays the foundation for future state championships. The Pavilion proves that Fort Dodge is invested in young people and believes in the potential to compete and win at the highest level.
Here at Fort Dodge, we take pride in knowing that good things are not just seen in big cities. It lies in our hardworking community. There, passion and purpose come together to create something special. This is our home. Through basketball, we continue to show the world what Fort Dodge is. With this new facility, we are not just keeping up, we are setting new standards. This is our time. This is our court. And the future of basketball at Fort Dodge has been much brighter.
Ryan Mail is the assistant to the mayor of Fort Dodge. He and his wife, Rachel, have four children who play basketball: Rainey, LJ, Brody and Blakely.
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