New Louisville Indoor Track Announces First Events

The new Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center indoor track-and-field venue in Louisville, Kentucky, has announced its first events, beginning February 17, 2021.

Louisville Urban League, which built the center, and ASM Global, which will manage the space, announced that the University of Louisville Cardinal Invitational will be the launch event, followed by the KTCCCA College Indoor Invite February 19–21 and the Louisville Indoor Games/High School Opener on February 27.

The venue will be monitored with ASM Global’s VenueShield program, which includes increased disinfectant cleaning, temperature screenings, mandatory face coverings, physical distancing and hand sanitizer stations.

“We are so excited to see athletes running in this building and to finally be able to bring this space to life in our community,” Louisville Urban League President and CEO Sadiqa Reynolds said. “We appreciate the energy and effort of the event organizers. This is the start of something special for track and field, for Louisville, and for the West End.”

Construction on the 24-acre, multisport venue began in August 2019. The complex features 90,000 square feet of floor space with a 4,000-seat, 200-meter banked indoor track and competition areas for jump, vaults and throws as well as a 400-meter outdoor track. The indoor track’s Mondo hydraulic floor can be lowered to provide space for a variety of other events.

“This truly is a jewel for Louisville,” ASM Global Louisville General Manager Eric Granger said. “Not only will it fill the need for an indoor track facility in this region, it will bring a variety of exciting entertainment and educational options and provide a huge economic impact to the surrounding community. We are thrilled to work with the Louisville Urban League and the Louisville Sports Commission to bring this vision to life.”

The regional draw of the venue is expected to produce an increase in room nights and visitor spending in the Louisville region.

“Through the collective vision and hard work of many, we are embarking on a new era of sports in Louisville,” said Louisville Sports Commission President and CEO Karl Schmitt. “Over time, there will be a wide range of indoor track and field events at the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center, from youth competition for beginners to championships at the highest level. In year one, every available weekend is booked with either college, high school, youth or adult events.”