At A Glance: The Plex

Here are some of the features, plans and developments for The Plex: Location: The Plex surrounds the TBK Bank Sports Complex, 4850 Competition Drive, Bettendorf, just south of Interstate 80 and around Middle Road and Forest Grove Road. The beginnings: Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher said he helped spur the idea for a sports complex about […]

Here are some of the features, plans and developments for The Plex: Location: The Plex surrounds the TBK Bank Sports Complex, 4850 Competition Drive, Bettendorf, just south of Interstate 80 and around Middle Road and Forest Grove Road. The beginnings: Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher said he helped spur the idea for a sports complex about 10 years ago. He was tired of going to other places for sports tournaments and came up with the notion that Bettendorf should be home to those tournaments. However, “The price tag of building a sports complex scared the council,” Mr. Gallagher recalled.  The idea of a sports complex again moved forward when Quad Cities businessman Doug Kratz visited Europe. The mayor said Mr. Kratz saw that many big and small towns in Europe had their own indoor soccer facilities. He wanted to bring that concept to Bettendorf. That idea was later updated as a multi-sports facility, which became the TBK Bank Sports Complex. Recent history: The Plex got its start in 2018 with the opening of the $50 million TBK Bank Sports Complex. The complex includes 76 acres and was developed by BettPlex LLC and its founder, Doug Kratz. Last fall, Mr. Kratz announced an ownership change of the facility, in which,he still owns 50% of the entity and a group of four local residents – led by area Bettendorf businessman Ryan Hintze – collectively owns the other 50%. Number of visitors: According to Visit Quad Cities, from 2019 to the end of last year, the TBK Bank Sports Complex had 596,078 visitors who went to the complex more than 7.68 million times over the five-year period. Area businesses: There are at least 35 businesses listed on The Plex website. City of Bettendorf officials estimate there are (or will soon be) at least 50 businesses in the area. New businesses in the works: There are several new businesses in the works for the area. One of the biggest of them is ORA Orthopedics, which recently announced it will build a new $50 million, state-of-the-art clinic and outpatient surgery center next to the sports complex. Also, the Iron Tee Golf facility, 6909 Iron Tee Way, is almost complete The $35 million, 61,000-square-foot facility is expected to be open by late May. After it is completed, work will begin on a new sports building this spring. That yet-to-be-named building will be 113,000 square feet, cost about $13 million and be located next to Iron Tee. 

But, there is much more in the works. City of Bettendorf officials said there are at least 11 more businesses under construction or in the planning stages at The Plex. They include: a new $17 million Springhill Suites; McDonald’s; Heartland Dental; Principal; Jersey Mike’s; Pancheros; Ginger Ale; Surfer Joe’s; and Tropical Smoothie Cafe.  Also, QCR Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Quad City Bank & Trust, will build its new headquarters on the southeast corner of Forest Grove Drive and Middle Road. That location also will house a new QCBT consumer banking branch (its sixth). Construction is expected to begin in late 2024.  Gateway Bridge: A Gateway Bridge is in the works – not for motorists, but rather for walkers, runners, and bicyclists – and will soon span across Middle Road near Interstate 80. The bridge is currently in the design phase, which is about 40% complete and expected to be completed this summer. Construction is expected to begin this fall. Interstate work: The Iowa Department of Transportation plans to reconfigure the I-80 and Middle Road interchange beginning in 2025. It is an estimated $58 million investment. Forest Grove Drive Reconstruction Project: This $11.5 million road project was the biggest public works project ever for the City of Bettendorf. The project began in July 2022 and was completed late last year.