Edwardsville to Break Ground on New Athletic Center

The $50 million facility will feature basketball, volleyball, and futsal courts

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The City of Edwardsville and Courthouse 618 LLC announced that construction is beginning on a new 50,000-square-foot indoor recreational field house at Plummer Family Park. The $50 million facility will feature five high school regulation-size basketball courts that can transition into nine volleyball courts, as well as training opportunities and host tournaments. The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for February 26, with an anticipated opening in Fall 2026.

Why it matters

The new athletic center is a public-private partnership that will expand sports programming and training opportunities for youth and adult athletes in Edwardsville and the surrounding area, which previously had to travel long distances to access similar facilities.

The details

The new sports facility, called The Courthouse 618, is a collaboration between the City of Edwardsville and Courthouse 618 LLC, owned by Edwardsville native Mark Thomas. The city is leasing the land in Plummer Family Park to Thomas' company, which is facilitating the financing and construction of the $50 million facility. In addition to the five basketball courts and nine volleyball courts, the center will also host futsal and other training programs.

  • The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for February 26, 2026.
  • The new athletic center is anticipated to open in Fall 2026.

The players

City of Edwardsville

The local government entity that is partnering with Courthouse 618 LLC on the new athletic center project and leasing the land in Plummer Family Park.

Courthouse 618 LLC

A private company owned by Edwardsville native Mark Thomas that is facilitating the financing and construction of the new $50 million athletic facility.

Mark Thomas

The founder of Courthouse 618 LLC and an Edwardsville native who is spearheading the development of the new athletic center.

Edwardsville Parks & Recreation Department

The city department that will be the new home for its youth and adult basketball leagues at the Courthouse 618 facility.

Shoot 360 Edwardsville

A cutting-edge, data-driven basketball training experience that will be housed within the new Courthouse 618 athletic center.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is a wonderful project for Edwardsville and for families and athletes throughout the area. We're thrilled to expand the opportunities offered at Plummer Family Park and to bolster the varied types of sports programming that our community already enjoys.”

— Art Risavy, Mayor (theintelligencer.com)

“I, along with other parents and young athletes in this community, have traveled miles away to access the kind of training and facilities they deserve right here at home. The Courthouse 618 changes that for every family in Edwardsville and the surrounding area.”

— Mark Thomas, Founder, Courthouse 618 LLC (theintelligencer.com)

What’s next

The city is also proceeding with the construction of 200 public parking spaces adjacent to the new Courthouse 618 athletic center.

The takeaway

The new Courthouse 618 athletic center represents a significant public-private investment in expanding sports programming and training opportunities for youth and adult athletes in Edwardsville, providing state-of-the-art facilities that were previously unavailable in the local community.