LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Louisville Urban League and Norton Healthcare announced Norton’s support of the West End multi-use sports and learning complex.

Norton Healthcare will contribute $5 million to the project through a $3 million grant and an additional challenge grant of $2 million in matching funds.

The facility will officially be named the Norton Sports Health Athletics & Learning Complex.

“This is a significant opportunity for Norton Healthcare to help unify our community and transform this key area of our city,” said Russel F. Cox, president and CEO, Norton Healthcare. “This facility will bring with it the power to impact change and positively influence children and their families through sports and learning.”

Conversion of the 24-acre property in Russell near Shawnee and Portland is unique to the West End. Plans include a multi-phase development to include indoor/outdoor track and field space with seating for 4,000, a learning lab, entertainment space with bowling alley, and an interactive rock climbing wall, community green space, and outdoor event space.

The indoor track and field is the anchor use, and athletes and spectators from across the country will come to Louisville to compete in meets hosted by NCAA, USA Track and Field, colleges, high schools, and more.

This development represents the only project for the west end that will bring tens of thousands of visitors with disposable income into the neighborhood, revitalizing not only the neighborhood, but the human spirit.

“This is a big deal,” said Sadiqa Reynolds, president and CEO of the Louisville Urban League. “This is the biggest deal of my life. I hope that you can all understand and process how significant it is to have this kind of investment in this part of our community.”

The project includes the potential to host a variety of services, including mobile health clinics and healthy lifestyle classes.