November 13, 2026 – Village of Slinger, Wi – A proposed 142,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor sports complex near the I-41 and STH 60 interchange in the Village of Slinger could change the landscape for youth sports and recreation in Washington County, and potentially put the brakes on other developers considering similar projects.
Foundation Sports, LLC, received unanimous Plan Commission approval Nov. 11, 2026, for its proposed Slinger Sports Complex on Karius Court, off Hetzel Way, in the Merchant Village development.
The project would bring a major regional sports destination to Slinger, offering a combination of indoor turf fields, basketball and volleyball courts, outdoor athletic fields and family entertainment.
Plans call for a 142,000-square-foot indoor facility with space for baseball, softball, soccer, flag football, basketball and volleyball. Additional amenities include a fitness center, golf simulators, arcade, sports medicine services, retail and a café.
Outside, the development would feature three multi-sport turf fields, 12 batting cages, four sand volleyball courts, a splash pad, playground, miniature golf and an outdoor café. Approximately 1,001 parking spaces are planned on the 37-acre property.
The size and scope of the Slinger proposal raise an important question for other communities in Washington County: Is there room for multiple large indoor sports facilities competing for the same teams, tournaments, memberships and families?
The Slinger facility would be entering a regional market where several smaller sports and athletic training operations already serve area athletes.
– In Richfield, Fieldhouse 262 operates a 13,000-square-foot indoor turf training facility near the Highway 41/45 interchange. It offers space for soccer, lacrosse, baseball, softball and football, along with training and rentals.
– In Germantown, Hack House Performance received approval in January 2026 for a 6,000-square-foot indoor baseball training and athletic development facility in the Germantown Industrial Park.
– The Village of Jackson also approved a conditional use permit in September 2026 for Washington County Sports Center, doing business as WCSC Gymnastics, to operate a gymnastics and recreation facility on Center Street.
– The Village of Kewaskum is also reviewing a proposed large indoor sports facility which will accommodate (8) full-size basketball courts, a hotel and restaurant. The concept plan is part of Smokey’s Crossing TID #6 development on the north end of town behind Foundry 45.
Those projects serve more specialized athletic markets, while the Slinger proposal combines multiple sports, fitness, entertainment and outdoor recreation under one operation.
The nearest larger regional comparison is Gateway Sports Academy in Saukville in neighboring Ozaukee County. The 45,000-square-foot facility opened in 2025 and features four basketball courts, six volleyball courts, 12 pickleball courts and nine shooting cages. It also includes training rooms, sports medicine space and concessions.
At approximately three times the size of Gateway Sports Academy, the proposed Slinger facility would offer a substantially larger indoor footprint and a wider mix of indoor and outdoor attractions.
Some data on the proposal:
– The Slinger location offers direct access to I-41 and STH 60, making it attractive to traveling teams and tournament organizers from outside Washington County.
– The project anticipates approximately 3,990 weekday vehicle trips and is designed to draw most traffic from I-41 and STH 60.
What do you think about the proposal?
November 12, 2026 – Village of Slinger, Wi – A large indoor and outdoor sports complex is being proposed off I-41 in the Village of Slinger, with plans for year-round youth and adult sports, fitness and family recreation.
The proposal includes a 142,000-square-foot indoor sports facility with turf fields and courts for baseball, softball, soccer, flag football, basketball and volleyball. The building would also include a fitness center, golf simulators, arcade, sports medicine services, athletic apparel retail and a café.
Foundation Sports, LLC, requested approval during the Slinger Plan Commission’s meeting on Wednesday night, to develop the complex on Karius Court, off Hetzel Way, in the Merchant Village development near the I-41 and STH 60 interchange.
Outdoor amenities include three multi-sport turf fields, 12 batting cages, four sand volleyball courts, a splash pad, playground area and miniature golf course. An outdoor café and seating area are also planned.
The development would include approximately 1,001 parking spaces on a site covering about 37 acres.
According to the project narrative submitted to the Village, the facility would operate year-round. The main building, fitness center and food service would be open daily from 5 a.m. to midnight. The operation anticipates seven to 10 full-time employees, along with additional part-time and event staff.
The applicant is also requesting permission for outdoor alcohol sales and consumption in a designated café area. Alcohol service would be limited to adults 21 and older and would be monitored by trained staff.
According to the Village clerk there is currently no regular liquor license available. A license to purchase would be $10,000.
Click HERE to review the proposed development
Three proposed items were approved unanimously by the plan commission, however one trustee recused themselves on Item 4 because of a family tie.
The items approved included an amendment to the Merchant Village Planned Unit Development (PUD), a conditional use permit and site plan for the indoor athletic facility, and a conditional use permit for outdoor alcohol service.
The PUD amendment would allow modifications for building height, green space and exterior masonry. The proposed building has 25-foot walls with a roof reaching approximately 47 feet at its highest point.
The applicant also requested permission for the synthetic turf fields to count toward the required green space and a waiver of the masonry requirements.
A traffic study estimates approximately 3,990 weekday vehicle trips associated with the complex. The applicant anticipates most traffic would use I-41 and STH 60, with the site designed to keep vehicle arrivals and passenger drop-offs on the property.
The project is intended to bring regional sports tournaments and visiting families to Slinger, benefiting nearby hotels, restaurants and businesses.
The proposal does not need to be forwarded to the full Village Board for approval.
