A new events center will open this summer at Westfield's Grand Park and Eyewitness News got a sneak peek, hard hat tour on Monday to look at the progress.
The new Grand Park Events Center is set to open in July. The space was originally planned as a 60,000 square foot indoor addition to the already wildly successful outdoor park.
Years later, the $20 million facility will cover 370,000 square feet.
The heart of the center takes up the most physical space - three full-size soccer fields which will host sporting events, concerts or expos.
"Closing our eyes and dreaming is what got this event center to take place," said Ken Alexander, Director of Grand Park.
There will also be locker rooms, office space, meeting space and a two-part restaurant run by Jonathan Byrd's. One part of the restaurant will be set up cafeteria-style for families. The other portion will be 21+, serving higher-end food, beer, wine and alcohol.
"Dropping your child off at an indoor facility for an hour and 15 minutes and making that decision, 'Do I drive 25 minutes, 30 minutes home, just to turn around after being home for five minutes?' it doesn't make sense. This gives people an opportunity to have and fill their downtime and actually be useful...with Wi-Fi and the technology we have on the campus, mom and dad could continue working for that day," Alexander said.
Park planners have also included a workout facility for adults to use while their kids are competing or at practice.
"I thought it was a great opportunity for mom and dad to be able to get fit and healthy, and in shape without necessarily having to double up service costs for themselves," said Tyler Miller, who owns Force Barbell which will run the youth training area and workout facility at the events center.
Dust is still flying at the center, though construction crews say work is on schedule to wrap up by July. A new hotel is also set to open next spring.
