A 45,000-square-foot public recreation center is planned in Norwalk that will include multiuse court space, an indoor track and space for Norwalk Park and Recreation department offices. Rendering by Studio Melee

Construction of a public recreation facility is expected to begin this year in Norwalk that will be part of a $50 million sports-themed development in the center of the city.

The sports development, which is part of a larger project called Norwalk Central, is east of Iowa Highway 28 and south of Colonial Parkway.

The Norwalk City Council on Thursday approved a development agreement with Sportsplex USA and Heartland Sports Properties, which will construct a 20-acre private sports and recreation campus. Called the Central Iowa Sports Campus, the property will include more than 15 acres of multisport turf athletic fields, parking, pedestrian walkways and a stand-alone concession and restroom facility.

Also planned is a 35,000-square-foot indoor retail center with tenant spaces for businesses.

The council also approved buying nearly 8 acres from Diligent Development for $594,745. The city plans to construct a 45,000-square-foot recreation facility that will include four basketball courts, four volleyball courts, six pickleball courts, an indoor track, and rental space for public practice, tournaments and other events. The facility will also house the city’s parks and recreation department.

The council also approved a different development agreement with Diligent Development that allows the city to use tax increment financing to pay for public infrastructure in the area.

“Norwalk Central is a critical step helping to meet needs for our citizens and also spur commercial development in the heart of our community,” Luke Nelson, Norwalk’s city manager, said in a prepared statement.

When completed, the project is expected to attract 1 million visitors annually.

“The Norwalk Central project is an exciting addition to the Metro area and will provide significant increases in available commercial, recreation, sports and additional retail opportunities,” Hollie  Zajicek, the city’s economic development director, said in a prepared statement. More information about Norwalk Center can be found here.

Denovo, a West Des Moines-based construction company, is leading the construction management.