Explore Evansville presents cross‑country study and 163‑page Burdette Park master plan; costs, flood‑plain and usage concerns raised

Explore Evansville and consultants presented a two‑part study to the Vanderburgh County Commission assessing (1) a possible NCAA‑level cross‑country course on the Millersburg property and (2) a 163‑page master plan for Burdette Park. Explore Evansville President and CEO Tom White and Luke Kessler, project manager for American Structure Point, led the cross‑country portion; Zach Waltham, Burdette Park director, summarized the park master plan. No funding request for construction was made during the presentation; the studies were paid for from tourism capital improvement funds that required Explore Evansville board and county council approval.

Cross‑country study findings: Tom White said the goal is an NCAA‑level, national course to attract overnight sports tourism. The report identifies required design elements (for example a 600‑meter straightaway start) and describes turf‑grass courses similar to the former Angel Mounds site. Luke Kessler explained surface and site requirements: “the course Angel Mounds is, turf grass and mowed and that would be similar to that, in the future.” The study listed a conceptual engineering estimate of about $250,000 for design work and projected construction ranges from roughly $3.8 million for a basic course to $6.7 million for a “premier plus” facility. The consultants said the site’s flood plain is a significant constraint: a bridge to connect the Millersburg parcel to adjacent sports facilities would likely cost “anywhere from a million dollars plus,” and stormwater/graded‑site work would be needed to protect turf improvements.

The study estimated that a completed premier course would host about four to 10 events annually. White and staff emphasized that tourism benefit depends on attracting multi‑hour travelers who stay overnight; officials said local or nearby teams do not produce the same room‑night economic impact. The presentation did not recommend immediate construction: White said Explore Evansville’s board has received the study and staff will evaluate whether the Millersburg parcel is the right long‑term use.

Burdette Park master plan: Zach Waltham summarized key findings and a short‑term list he called the park’s “big 4.” Top priorities are renovating six overnight chalet units (Zach said those buildings are “in desperate need”), expanding the campground with about 12 full‑hookup sites and an additional shower house, increasing parking across the park (work at the baseball fields had already started), and finding a productive use for an unused concessions structure near the aquatic center. Waltham said the park’s chalets generated about $133,000 in revenue last year; renovating all six chalets, he estimated, would likely be an investment “upwards of a million dollars.” He also reported the aquatic center had 75,112 visitors last summer.

Other items discussed: alternatives and other parcels were evaluated in the study (for example Eagle Valley, an airport‑owned golf course parcel and the Robert Stadium property). Presenters noted Angel Mounds is no longer available for big meets and that the county could instead consider other sport facilities where capital costs and year‑round utility differ (indoor courts and additional baseball/softball fields are potential alternatives). White and Waltham said they will continue to evaluate sites and potential investor or grant funding and that any construction decision would require more detailed budgeting and stakeholder engagement. Several commissioners questioned high conceptual line items (for example the $250,000 engineering figure) and asked staff to compare alternatives.

No formal commission action or appropriation for construction was taken at the meeting; staff and Explore Evansville said they intend to keep the commission informed and to present budget and grant options if and when a construction proposal is developed.