JONESBORO, Ark. — City officials broke ground Friday on a large indoor sports facility in Jonesboro, unveiling both the project and its official name: the Ridge Athletics Center.
The 203,000-square-foot complex, known as the RAC, is being built on Race Street and is expected to serve as a regional hub for athletic competition and community gatherings. Around 200 people attended the unveiling ceremony.
City leaders said the new name reflects the unique identity of Jonesboro and Northeast Arkansas. They described the facility as more than just a sports venue — a place designed to bring the community together and represent the region’s character and growth.
The complex will feature 12 basketball courts that convert to 24 volleyball courts or 36 pickleball courts, a 50-meter pool with diving boards, a warm-up pool, and an outdoor aquatic area with spray-ground features and a large slide. The second level will include viewing areas and two meeting rooms. Plans call for 1,245 spectator seats at the pool and 678 parking spaces.
The estimated $74.6 million project is expected to be completed in about 18 months, with an opening projected for late summer or early fall 2026.
Project partners said the space was designed for both sports and community events. The layout includes two main zones to accommodate competitions, public activities and family use, including a splash pad and outdoor water features for warm weather months.
City officials also emphasized the economic impact, projecting more than 950 permanent jobs, roughly $43 million in economic output, and about 54,000 hotel nights annually from sports-related tourism. They said the facility will offer expanded recreational opportunities for residents and increased visibility for the city.
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