The new Kettlestone Central Sports Complex in Waukee is open, and along with the still fresh smell of wood and varnish, the massive, mostly indoor court spaces are full of inspiration.
The inspiration to become a better person through play is what Blake Jensen said is the goal of the two-building complex at 2045 S.E. Glacier Trail that opened April 10. The $40 million, 140,000-square-foot basketball and volleyball facility — with two outdoor basketball courts that have grass seating between the buildings — also promises to be a huge economic engine for Waukee and the core of future development stretching west to Grand Prairie Parkway.
Displayed on the walls inside the gyms are inspirational quotes that feature the values Ames-based Iowa Youth Athletic Foundation wants to develop in youth: confidence, attitude, unity, character, service and integrity in the north building; and gratitude, courage, discipline, perseverance, respect and determination in the south building. The Iowa Youth Athletic Foundation, of which Jensen is the director, owns and operates the Kettlestone Central Sports Complex.
Jensen's favorite inspirational quote out of the dozens displayed is from American college basketball player, coach and broadcaster Jim Valvano: "Don't give up, don't ever give up."
Kettlestone said to be one of top 10 biggest indoor wood court gyms in US
The Iowa Youth Athletic Foundation rents out court space to All Iowa Attack, a statewide youth basketball program that was founded by his father, Dickson Jensen. The gyms serve public tournaments as well.
Blake Jensen said there are usually around 140 teams using the facility over 35 weekends of the year. There may be more than 1,000 spectators at any given time during a tournament, seated on wooden benches or stadium-style seats elevated above the courts.
"It's the quality that clearly separates us, and size," Jensen said. He said the facility is the biggest indoor wood court space in Iowa and "definitely top 10 in the country."
And the facility is adaptable. The 12 basketball courts — with a total of 84 hoops — can be converted into 18 volleyball courts or 18 smaller basketball courts for children in the third grade or younger, Jensen said.
There are side rooms and spaces for classes, fitness, referees and athletic trainers. And there's a concession stand and vending machines. But food options inside are purposefully limited so people will patronize the restaurants Blake said are planned for the rest of the Kettlestone development — also in his family under Caliber Co., founded by his cousin Nick Jensen.
The gyms are anchoring future development in Waukee
The gym was part of the first phase of the $220 million, 153-acre commercial and residential development called Kettlestone Central. Residential properties already have been built east and south of the gym.
Along with restaurants, the Kettlestone Central development could have hotels, commercial spaces, medical clinics and additional indoor floor space for events such as conventions and gymnastics, Blake Jensen said. It could take two to seven years to see those projects completed around the gym facility.
It's expected the sports complex will generate an annual economic impact of more than $125 million.
Phillip Sitter covers the suburbs for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at [email protected] or on X at @pslifeisabeauty. Find outmore about him onlinethrough the Register's staff directory.