Delaware Sports Hub: Kirkwood Complex Gets $10 Million Upgrade

BPG Sports officially renamed the Kirkwood Sports Complex to Sprinturf Performance Park on Thursday, Oct. 29. The 65-acre facility at 1220 River Road in New Castle, Delaware, has completed a $10 million renovation. The project aims to position the site as a major hub for regional and national sports tournaments.

The upgrade converted four natural-grass fields to synthetic turf and added lighting to the site. The complex now features five lighted synthetic-turf fields and seven natural-grass fields. These spaces accommodate soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, and other field sports. Two former fields were removed to expand parking capacity for larger events.

Public funding played a central role in the project. Approximately $4 million of the investment came from the Delaware Sports Tourism Investment Fund. State budgets have allocated $10 million annually to this fund in recent years to support capital projects that attract visitors. Gov. Matt Meyer stated that such large-scale developments require cooperation between government and private operators, noting that public funding alone is insufficient.

Delaware tourism officials presented data estimating that out-of-state visitors attending sporting events generated $231.4 million in spending at venues, hotels, and restaurants. The state seeks to capture this revenue by hosting events that bring families to the region. The Kirkwood project is part of a statewide network managed by BPG Sports, an affiliate of the Buccini/Pollin Group.

BPG Sports manages or operates several facilities, including Chase Fieldhouse in Wilmington, DE Turf in Frederica, and the WSFS Bank Sportsplex. Sprinturf signed a multiyear agreement to become the naming-rights partner for the New Castle complex. The company also serves as the official turf partner across the BPG Sports portfolio. Stephen Cavalier, senior vice president and general manager of BPG Sports, said the partnership helps maintain consistent standards across their facilities.

The Kirkwood recreational soccer program will continue at the complex. Cavalier confirmed that the existing recreational league will retain its home at the facility. He noted that youth sports have shifted toward more competitive formats with larger tournaments. These events require facilities that can host multiple games regardless of weather and allow play into the evening.

Users of the facility will notice changes in parking operations. BPG Sports introduced paid parking through ParkMobile, with enforcement during applicable events. Sprinturf reports that the facility attracts more than 1.5 million visitors annually and hosts 15 large-scale tournaments each year. Delaware Tourism Director Jessica Welch said officials are also looking to invest in indoor facilities to attract visitors during off-season months.

Jessica Welch emphasized the importance of attracting tourists in January, February, and March. The current Kirkwood renovation serves as a model for this broader strategy. The facility is designed to balance its traditional role as a community sports complex with the infrastructure needed for competitive events.