HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The Richmond Strikers, a longstanding staple in Central Virginia's youth sports scene, has officially broken ground on a major new project aimed at enhancing their facilities and expanding opportunities for young athletes. The $5.5 million expansion, known as Striker Park, is set to transform the sports landscape in Henrico. According to officials, it will include state-of-the-art fields, locker rooms and storage spaces, and it’s expected to boost the Strikers' ability to host large-scale tournaments. This project, which has been years in the making, is partially funded by a $1.75 million grant from Henrico County, a contribution made possible by local hotel tax revenues. As sports tourism continues to grow in the region, these funds are being reinvested to improve the area’s sports facilities, ultimately attracting even more visitors and events to the community. For the Strikers, whose programs serve over 4,500 athletes between the ages of 4 and 18, the new facility will provide significant benefits. Jay Howell, Director of the Richmond Strikers, expressed excitement about the project’s potential, noting that the addition of offices, storage and locker rooms will vastly improve operations at the site. "It's just going to be awesome to have an office and storage and locker rooms at a soccer facility," Howell said. "It's unbelievable, it's so unique, it's so rare." The expansion is designed to streamline day-to-day operations for the club. With all facilities now located right next to the playing fields, it will be easier for staff to manage tournaments and coordinate logistics. Howell added that the new space will allow for better coaching and player development, as well as provide a hub for families and athletes. "We utilize this every day of the week, every weekend of the year basically," Howell emphasized. "So, I think this is sort of the cherry on top of something that's really, really awesome already." Henrico County officials are optimistic about the economic and community impact of the project, emphasizing that the region’s success in sports tourism has created new opportunities for growth. As the complex expands, Howell anticipates further developments. "It'll prepare us for the next level, which will be additional fields that will be built here and then additional hotels that are being built here, so we'll be better prepared for the next events that come forth," he said. "It's going to help as we're running tournaments, we're going to have this as our tournament headquarters, we can have ref headquarters, and check in and everything here." The Richmond Strikers are expected to complete construction of the new facility by fall 2025, and the project is already being hailed as a major step forward for youth sports in the region.