CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A sports complex is moving closer to becoming a reality at the former Eastland Mall site after the Charlotte City Council gave the green light with additional funding.
The indoor and outdoor amateur sports facilities will be built on 29 acres of vacant land at the former Eastland Mall site.
Charlotte Soccer Academy is one of four developers of the sports complex.
“I think (soccer) is booming, especially on this side of town,” said Dan Dudley, director of coaching at Charlotte Soccer Academy. “Soccer is growing and people are excited to play and learn. There just aren’t enough soccer fields in the area to accommodate the number of kids playing.”
Players ranging in age from 3 to 21 are currently practicing at dozens of fields in the Charlotte area, including school softball and baseball outfields.
“I think space management is a big issue for us. We’re doing a good job and making sure every group has its own space,” Dudley said.
The club continues to grow, going from 200 players in 2010 to 8,500 this year.
“You can see we are making the most of every field we have here, but given the current growth, having a new field on this side of town is an incredible step in the right direction. I feel this is a significant step forward,” Dudley said.
Other developers include EDGE Sports Global, Bolton, Ivory, Cantey LLC and Southern Entertainment.
In September, the Charlotte City Council brought the project forward and invested a total of $41 million, $11 million more than planned in reimbursement costs related to public infrastructure improvements. Officials said the additional funding will help with rising infrastructure needs and costs.
“That’s why it’s been such a long road to get to this point. Many ideas have come and gone, but finally, as I said, the economic engine will be 90% complete by 2027. We’ve gotten to the point where we do,” said District 5 City Councilor Marjorie Molina.
The sports complex will be built in an area that has seen many plans come and go since the shopping mall was demolished in 2013. It will be built next to 80 acres where construction has already begun on housing, retail space and parks.
In November, the first component of the Eastland redevelopment to be completed was a 72-unit housing community for active adults called Evoke Living. That same month, Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation unveiled an updated design for a 4.5-acre park at the former Eastland Mall site with a multipurpose court area, fenced dog lounge, splash pad and two grassy areas.
Molina, who represents the area, said the sports complex is expected to be an economic driver for east Charlotte.
“That’s over $100 million in impact on 30 acres of land and 500 jobs,” Molina said.
The CSA said this would allow football to grow in areas where there is a lack of grounds.
“Not only will it help the kids grow, but it will allow the community to have a better sense of playing soccer in the neighborhood, locally,” Dudley said.
The field is expected to open in 2026 and be available for rental to other programs and organizations, according to CSA.
Indoor facilities will include basketball, volleyball and pickleball courts, as well as a fitness center.
The complex will offer concerts and dining opportunities.
