Cape Girardeau expands Shawnee Park Sports Complex ahead of record tournament season

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) — After years of planning, Cape Girardeau is transforming Shawnee Park Sports Complex with new turf fields and expanded tournament space opening this spring.

The city added five new fields and installed infield turf across the complex, bringing the total to 13 tournament-ready fields. Leaders say the upgrades will significantly reduce rainouts and allow the park to host larger events.

Scott Williams, Recreation Division Manager for Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation, said weather delays have long created challenges for tournaments and league play.

“The only thing that will really take us out would be a thunderstorm in the area,” Williams said. “But other than that, if it rains on these fields, you’ll be playing about 30 minutes later.”

City leaders say the added turf gives tournament directors confidence that weekend events will not be canceled due to rain. That reliability helps Cape Girardeau remain competitive in the growing sports tourism industry.

Voters approved funding for the project in 2018 through the Parks and Recreation tax. Officials identified the youth sports complex as one of the priority projects tied to that initiative. The upgrades also include shaded bleachers, improved lighting and expanded parking.

Doug Gannon, Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Cape Girardeau, said sports tourism has become an important part of the local economy.

“Bringing sports teams into town has really proved to be a real economic driver for the city of Cape,” Gannon said. “On a weekend you’ll see hotels full, restaurants busy. People buy gas here. They shop here. They enjoy all the amenities Cape Girardeau has to offer.”

City leaders say without the upgrades, Cape risked falling behind other communities investing in similar turf complexes.

The improvements are already showing results. Williams said last year marked the park’s largest tournament season on record, with 20 events.

“Over the winter we booked an additional ten,” Williams said. “So 30 tournaments will be our all-time biggest.”

The project also includes relocating and rebuilding two football and soccer fields near Jefferson School. Crews are constructing one regulation high school soccer field and one youth football field, both with new lighting. City leaders expect to complete that portion of the project by fall of 2026, further expanding youth sports opportunities across Cape Girardeau.

Officials say the expanded complex allows Cape Girardeau to attract teams from multiple states while also giving local families a place to compete close to home.

The first tournament of the season begins in April.