Major sports and tourism development project coming to Proctor

Back in 2018, Proctor got a brand-new ice rink and sports facility. Now, they are preparing for another addition on the land around it.

The project is called the NXS National Complex, a three-phase development that includes a sports dome, apartments, restaurants, a hotel, and much more. The project is located on a 90-plus-acre plot of land near Kirkus Street, with phase one set to break ground in the spring of 2026.

Project Map from ISG, CMRA

Proctor hasn’t seen much large-scale development in the last 80 years, but ideas for big projects have been circulating for nearly a decade.

“Over about six years ago, the idea of a sports tourism development, particularly a dome, came up. And we had an independent committee work on it and eventually the Economic Development Authority became active and kind of took the bull by the horns and ran with it. We did our feasibility studies, we did our economic studies, and the like. And so, for nine to six years, we’ve been hoping to find a way to develop it, to develop the sports tourism industry where we would enhance what’s already in the metropolitan area,” said Eric Madson, chairman of the Proctor Economic Development Authority.

The sports dome is a main highlight of the project, with capabilities to host numerous sporting events at the same time. It also has flexible spaces that can convert to fit different sports.

“It has two softball fields in it, with free weights, golf, baseball, and then we also have four tournament-sized basketball courts in there that turn into volleyball and then pickleball (courts), which is really going to be fun to have in there,” said Beth Wentzlaff, president of Consulting, Management, and Realty Associates (CMRA).

Outdoor spring sports like softball and baseball are limited in their ability to practice and play in the Northland at the beginning of the season, and this facility can help alleviate the travel burden for many teams.

“It’s year round now because according to the history of domes around the country, they run about 22 hours a day. So, we have already had a lot of work put into that and we’ve already had teams wanting the 12-to-4-time frames and all kinds of things,” said Wentzlaff.

The flexibility, variety, and proximity of the development can also help Proctor capitalize on the tourism in northern Minnesota.

“In very simplified terms, it would be like Proctor being able to have a piece of the pie for the tourism industry. And it’s not looking for the whole thing but looking for a competitive part. And I just think that’s reasonable business from our perspective,” said Madson.

Phase one includes the sports dome, hotel, apartment building, and daycare center. Phase two will incorporate national tenants that Wentzlaff says have already asked to be a part of the development. Phase three will be expanded housing.