CHESTER, PA — Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor and Councilman Richard Womack joined representatives from the Philadelphia Union and WSFS Bank on April 17 to break ground on a world-class sports and recreation facility.
The state-of-the-art sports complex will span 32 acres between Subaru Park and the Union Power Plant office building in Chester. The complex will include a 100,000 sq. ft. indoor facility that will be available for community use and an adjacent 70,000 sq. ft. support building that will house Philadelphia Union II (MLS NEXT Pro) as well as the Philadelphia Union Academy. The indoor facilities will include a 125×75 yard turf field, two multi-sport courts, an 8,000 sq. ft. performance center, 5,000 sq. ft. of flex space for specialized athletic training, and a café for athletes and guests. The indoor facility will be complemented by seven outdoor multi-sport fields including one championship grass field with spectator seating, two additional full-size grass fields, one youth-size grass field, and three full-size turf fields.
The project is estimated to create $90 million in economic impact over the first decade and provide 500,000 visits annually to the Chester Waterfront. The WSFS Bank Sportsplex is a significant step in the development and revitalization of the Chester Waterfront that will create additional jobs and drive a drastic increase in revenue in the Chester community. In addition, the project will bring the Philadelphia Union Academy and YSC Academy to one campus alongside the first and second teams, furthering the commitment to youth development and the player-to-pro pathway.
As the naming rights partner, WSFS Bank has also committed to donate 365 hours of field and facility usage to community organizations to continue efforts to strengthen community ties and provide a safe and welcoming campus for residents.
The outdoor fields are set to be in place by August 2023 and the indoor facilities to open May 2024.
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