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growing to this massive 300,000-square foot indoor facility," said Ratcliff. "The price tag is now over $60 million, but it's amazing. It's really something special." Doors to the Hy-Vee Fieldhouse opened in August 2021. Like most of MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, the Fieldhouse is truly multipurpose. An indoor turf field can function as: • One full-sized indoor soccer field • A 90-yard football field • Three smaller-sized soccer fields • Two softball fields • Kickball field • Taekwondo rings • Batting cages • Family movie night/event space Next door the hardwood floor can be converted from three full-sized basket- ball courts (94' by 50') into six full-sized volleyball courts (59' by 29.5'). A fourth court offers options for either one full- sized basketball court or two volleyball courts. There are also pickleball courts and each one is equipped with all of your in-game needs including score- boards, shot clocks, divider curtains and spectator seating. The main ice rink can be transformed into a 20,000 square-foot event space with room to accommodate events of up to 2,500 people. "People walk in and their jaws drop right away when they see how amazing this facility is," said Ratcliff. "We've been able to grow it from just a sports facil- ity to a full community asset. I just love its flexibility. You just really never know what's coming down the pike as far as requests that we would get, so we wanted to make sure that we had flexibility in the space. It's designed for the masses. Because again, that's what it's for." Beyond the playing fields, Ratcliff said hotel ballrooms allow for more event and meeting space. And with the ability to convert the main rink, the facility is fully operational year-round with hock- ey and ice sports running on both rinks from August to April. "The Chamber of Commerce has been out here for several events," said Ratcliff. "We've had a wedding shower, rehearsal dinner, celebration of life—so the rink is being utilized for so much more than just sports and that's kind of what's really unique. We were able to overcome the stigma that we can truly call it a sports and events center." Premier Destination With all that said, Ratcliff and crew wanted to be sure to emphasize the community's original request: ice. Rink 1, the Abel Ice Arena, is the main rink with a seating capacity of up to 2,400. Rink 2, named in honor of the Patty and Jim Cownie Family, has room for 300 spectators and includes heated bleachers, a sound system and drink rail. "We didn't want a low-brow rink," said Ratcliff. "We wanted to make it a premier destination for families, parents, teams and tournaments. We wanted to really attract major hockey tournaments and skating events to the facility by offering the best in the area." Ratcliff notes that teams were already lined up to get tournaments on the books at RecPlex. A slew of grassroots programs in both hockey and skating, along with curling clubs and adult learn to skates will help keep the rinks busy. USICERINKS.COM JANUARY.FEBRUARY.2022 / 15 PEOPLE WALK IN AND THEIR JAWS DROP RIGHT AWAY WHEN THEY SEE HOW AMAZING THIS FACILITY IS. WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO GROW IT FROM JUST A SPORTS FACILITY TO A FULL COMMUNITY ASSET." , The 300,000-square foot facility opened in the fall of 2021.