Tell City, IN – Community members, local leaders, and project partners gathered on Tuesday afternoon, June 24, to celebrate the official dedication of the Tell City Sports Complex—a transformational project that has been years in the making and will serve as a central space for recreation, connection, and economic activity.

The Sports Complex is part of the larger Hagedorn Park, which also features the JFK Pool and Splash Pads, tennis courts, pickleball and basketball courts, a dog park, walking trails, and other amenities. Together, these spaces enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors while supporting long-term community development.

The project was funded through a combination of city leadership, private contributions, and $600,000 in READI funding. The Perry County Development Corporation (PCDC) secured the READI dollars as a participating member of the Indiana First Region, which received $15 million from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s READI program to support regional quality of place investments.

“This project has been talked about in our community for more than a decade, and to see it come to life is incredibly rewarding,” said Erin Emerson, President & CEO of the Perry County Development Corporation. “It’s more than a sports complex—it’s a long-term investment in quality of life and economic development. Because how you feel about your community matters.”

Tell City Mayor Chris Cail also delivered remarks during the ceremony, emphasizing the importance of persistence, local leadership, and teamwork in bringing the project to fruition. He noted that the Sports Complex represents not only an investment in youth and recreation, but in the city’s future as a destination for events and regional activity.

Heidi Young, READI Program Director for Southern Indiana with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, was in attendance to represent the state, applauding the project as a strong example of what local and regional collaboration can achieve. “This is exactly the type of locally driven, quality of place initiative that the READI program is designed to support,” said Young.

In addition to offering new opportunities for local athletes and families, the Sports Complex is expected to drive significant economic impact by attracting regional tournaments and visitors. With some events drawing 800 or more people in a single weekend, local businesses stand to benefit from increased foot traffic, overnight stays, and related spending—potentially even paving the way for new business development in the area.

The Tell City Sports Complex stands as a testament to vision, partnership, and community pride—proof that when people work together, bold ideas can become real places.

To learn more about the Perry County Development Corporation and its quality of place initiatives, visit pickperry.com.