WNIJ News

Check Out Rockford's New 'Sports Factory'

Northern Public Radio | By Phil Masterton

Published June 1, 2016 at 4:51 PM CDT

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Main Entrance, UW Health Sports Factory

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Main Entrance, UW Health Sports Factory

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Rockford Park District's logo is part of the opening celebration

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The crowd listens to the "Dream Big, Win Big" presentation

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Plenty of room for future luncheons in the Sports Factory

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RACVB Pres/CEO John Groh introduces discussion panel

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Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey and RACVB president John Groh

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Senators Steve Stadelman (D) & Dave Syverson (R) listen to the panel discussion.

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Sunil Puri – Founder & President – First Midwest Group and 4th Ward Alderman Kevin Frost (R)";s:

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RACVB Pres/CEO John Groh with the discussion panel

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A well-attended grand opening at the Sports Factory

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Grand opening of the Sports Factory

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Sports Factory interior

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The scoreboard marks this historic date.

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It has been years in the making, and Wednesday, June 1, 2016, it became official. The UW Health Sports Factory is open in downtown Rockford.

The massive recreational facility on the Rock River is expected to serve the needs of sports-minded residents as well as attract amateur sports tourism. The Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau held its annual luncheon at the Sports Factory, the building's inaugural event. About 700 people gathered in the $24-million facility for the official dedication.

The city of Rockford rehabbed the former Ingersoll Building, a factory that sat empty for years in an important stretch of Rockford's downtown.

The Rockford Park District will give tours of the UW Health Sports Factory during this Friday's City Market.